Lindsey Vonn was taken to hospital for medical evaluation on Saturday after crashing during the women’s World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, a race that was later cancelled due to unsafe conditions.
Vonn lost control after landing a jump in deteriorating visibility and slid into the safety netting, remaining on the course briefly before receiving assistance from medical personnel. She was able to ski down under her own power but appeared cautious on her left knee. As a precaution, Vonn was later airlifted from the venue for further medical evaluation.
The incident was one of several early crashes that prompted officials to interrupt and eventually cancel the race.
“Following difficulties experienced by the first six racers, the jury interrupted the race due to growing safety concerns,” the International Ski and Snowboard Federation said. “Athlete safety remained the top priority.”
Women’s World Cup race director Peter Gerdol said worsening visibility and challenging course conditions influenced the decision to stop the race.
Vonn’s coach, two-time Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, said initial on-site assessments did not reveal a clear diagnosis, leading to the decision to seek further medical checks.
“She has some pain so it’s better to have some checks,” Svindal told Reuters. “The physio did some checks. They seemed OK, but there were things he was not 100% sure, so it was good to have it checked [at the hospital].”
FIS CEO Urs Lehmann confirmed Vonn sustained a knee injury but said it was too early to determine the severity or whether it would impact her Olympic plans.
The crash comes less than two weeks before the women’s Olympic downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn is expected to be a medal contender. The 41-year-old has enjoyed a strong return to competition this season, including a historic World Cup downhill win in St. Moritz in December.
Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, returned to racing last season after nearly six years away. She did not compete at the Beijing 2022 Games due to an ACL injury and has since undergone a partial knee replacement.
Norway’s Marte Monsen was also involved in a heavy crash during the race and was taken away on a stretcher with facial injuries.
Further updates on the conditions of both Vonn and Monsen are expected following medical examinations. Ski Racing Media wishes both athletes a smooth and speedy recovery.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
