Lindsey Vonn / Tarvisio 2026 / GEPA pictures
Lindsey Vonn plans to race.
The three-time Olympic medalist confirmed Tuesday that she ruptured her ACL in a recent Crans Montana World Cup crash but still intends to start the women’s downhill at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, refusing to walk away from what would likely be the final Olympic opportunity of her career.
“I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same now,” Vonn said. “But as long as there’s still a chance, I will try.”
Vonn was injured Friday during the World Cup downhill in Switzerland, when she lost control after a jump and crashed into the safety netting. After skiing slowly to the fnish she was airlifted to a hospital for evaluation and later diagnosed with a torn ACL in her left knee.
Despite the injury, Vonn said the swelling has gone down and she is not experiencing pain. She confirmed she expects to participate in downhill training ahead of the Olympic race.
“I’m taking it day by day,” Vonn said. “My focus right now is the downhill. I need to see how it feels at speed. Once I ski 80 miles per hour, then I’ll know.”
Vonn did not commit to racing the super-G, which remains a possibility depending on stability and confidence.
At 41, Vonn returned to World Cup competition this season after retiring in 2019 following a career defined by both dominance and injury. Before her crash, her comeback had been producing results, including two World Cup downhill victories and a commanding lead in the women’s downhill standings.
Vonn last competed at the Olympic Winter Games in 2018, winning downhill bronze in PyeongChang. She previously captured downhill gold and super-G bronze at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
“I’m not letting this slip through my fingers,” Vonn said. “My head is high. I’m standing tall. I’m going to do my best, and whatever the result is, I’ll accept it.”
Vonn said her longtime coach and mentor, Erich Sailer, who died last year, would support her decision to race.
“He would say, ‘It’s only 90 seconds. What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime?’” Vonn said. “It’s nothing.”
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