Lindsey Vonn Eyes Olympic Comeback, Reports NPR
American alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn faced a critical setback in her attempted Olympic comeback during the women’s downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event took place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8, 2026.
Lindsey Vonn’s Crash Details
Vonn’s crash occurred just 13 seconds into the race, a highly anticipated event. It marked her aspiration to secure another Olympic medal after returning from retirement.
During the race, Vonn hit a fourth gate, causing her right arm to collide and throw her off balance. As she approached the first jump, she became airborne, spinning to her right before violently landing on her right side. Her skis ended up perpendicular to the slope, leading to a tumble that left the audience in stunned silence.
Medical Response
A medical team promptly attended to Vonn for over ten minutes before she was airlifted off the mountain by helicopter. As of now, the extent of her injuries remains unknown.
Vonn’s Olympic Journey
At 41 years old, Vonn was already a celebrated athlete, having retired in 2019. Her return to competition included a remarkable comeback, highlighted by a strong performance in the World Cup standings despite suffering an ACL tear just a week before the Olympics.
- Vonn had completed two training runs successfully prior to the race.
- Her comeback initially involved a partial knee replacement in 2024.
- This season, she topped the FIS leaderboard with two World Cup victories, bringing her total to 84 wins.
Cortina d’Ampezzo: A Special Location
Cortina d’Ampezzo holds sentimental value for Vonn. She described the location as special, stating that it was the backdrop for several defining moments in her career, including her first World Cup podium finish and achieving the record for most career wins at one time.
Vonn noted in October 2025, “If it had been anywhere else, I would probably say it’s not worth it. But for me, there’s something special about Cortina that always pulls me back.”
Other Olympic Contenders
In addition to Vonn, Team USA features other medal hopefuls. Breezy Johnson, who faced her challenges following severe knee injuries before the 2022 Winter Olympics, is another competitor to watch. Other American skiers, Jackie Wiles and Bella Wright, are also participating in this year’s events.
The Tofane ski course has experienced challenging weather conditions, including fog and light snow, which have affected training runs leading up to the race.
As Lindsey Vonn navigates these hurdles, her dedication to the sport and the Olympic spirit remains evident amidst the unpredictabilities of alpine skiing.
