Lindsey Vonn injury update after Olympic downhill crash and airlift

Lindsey Vonn was taken off the mountain by helicopter Sunday after a frightening early crash in the women’s Olympic downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, raising fresh uncertainty about her health and whether she will race again at these Games. Officials said her condition was not immediately known, and the U.S. team said she would be evaluated.

The crash came after Vonn had already been competing with a severely injured left knee, including a recently ruptured ACL, turning what was billed as a daring comeback into a medical and emotional cliffhanger.

What happened in the downhill crash

Vonn lost control moments after leaving the start gate and went down hard, with medical personnel reaching her on the slope. She was treated for several minutes before being strapped to a gurney and flown away by rescue helicopter.

The airlift was the second time she has been evacuated by helicopter in roughly nine days, underscoring how thin the margin is in speed events—especially on a course that demands aggressive lines and total knee stability at high speed.

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Latest status from team officials

As of Sunday, February 8, 2026, officials have not publicly released a definitive diagnosis from Sunday’s crash beyond saying she will undergo evaluation. A senior U.S. Ski and Snowboard official said she is expected to be OK but described the recovery as a process, reflecting that the immediate concern may extend beyond one test result and into the broader question of what her knee can tolerate next.

Until imaging and exams are complete, it remains unclear whether Sunday’s crash caused new structural damage, aggravated existing injuries, or primarily produced pain and swelling that could still end her Olympic campaign.

The torn ACL and other knee damage

Vonn entered the Olympic downhill already dealing with significant left-knee trauma from a crash in a World Cup downhill in Switzerland on January 30, 2026. Team updates in recent days described that injury as a ruptured ACL along with a bone bruise and meniscus damage.

Despite that, she completed training runs in Cortina in the days leading up to the race and maintained she believed she could compete. That decision drew intense attention not just because of the risk, but because the downhill is the most demanding discipline on the knees, with constant vibration, compression, and high-speed directional changes.

Why this hit so hard in Cortina

Cortina has long been one of Vonn’s signature venues, and the downhill course there is intertwined with her legacy. Coming into the Olympics, she had revived her competitive form quickly after returning to elite racing following a long break, and she arrived in Italy as a genuine contender.

That context made Sunday’s crash especially jarring: it wasn’t a ceremonial appearance. It was a serious attempt at a medal run, made more dramatic by her willingness to ski through injuries that would keep many athletes out for months.

What to watch next

The next public update is likely to center on evaluation results and a decision about whether she can safely continue. In the immediate term, observers will be watching for three practical signals:

• Whether she is cleared to walk, travel, and train without significant pain

• Whether medical imaging identifies new ligament, cartilage, or fracture concerns

• Whether the team rules out further starts for safety, regardless of her personal desire to race

In a speed skier’s world, even a “minor” setback can be season-ending if it affects stability, reaction time, or confidence—especially with a pre-existing ACL rupture.

Sources consulted: Associated Press, ESPN, ABC News, People