Lindsey Vonn injury update after Olympic downhill crash in Cortina
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted from the women’s Olympic downhill course in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday, February 8, 2026, after crashing seconds into her run, and she is undergoing medical evaluation. A brief team statement issued shortly after the incident said she “fell in the Olympic downhill” and “will be evaluated by medical staff,” with no detailed diagnosis released publicly as of Sunday evening ET.
The crash comes against a backdrop that has sharpened public concern: Vonn entered the race while already dealing with a significant left-knee injury, including a recently confirmed ACL rupture, and she was racing in a brace.
What happened on the course
Vonn went down early—roughly 13–17 seconds after leaving the start gate—after losing her line in the opening section. She slid to a stop and remained on the snow while medical personnel attended to her for several minutes. She was then secured to a gurney and evacuated by helicopter.
The race was interrupted as officials and medical staff worked on the slope, and the incident visibly affected the atmosphere at the finish area.
Lindsey Vonn's accident
by u/Ecstatic-Ganache921 in olympics
Latest public status: evaluation, limited details
As of Sunday, February 8, 2026 (ET), the most concrete update is that Vonn was transported for evaluation following the crash. No comprehensive injury report has been made public, and no decision has been announced about whether she will attempt any additional starts at these Games.
In practical terms, the next update that matters will likely address:
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whether she sustained new structural damage in the fall (fracture, ligament, cartilage, meniscus), and
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whether swelling, pain, or instability makes further racing unsafe even if imaging is negative for a new tear.
The pre-crash knee injury that shaped the risk
Vonn had already been skating a narrow line medically. She confirmed in the days before the downhill that she had completely ruptured her left ACL in a recent crash, along with additional knee damage, and chose to continue with heavy support and close monitoring.
Downhill skiing places extreme load on the knees through compressions, vibration, and rapid corrections at very high speeds. That context is why Sunday’s crash immediately raised questions about whether the injury limited stability or response time—though it is not publicly confirmed that the knee injury caused the fall.
What the next 24–48 hours usually determine
After a crash with evacuation, teams typically prioritize a short list of checks before any return-to-start decision is even considered:
| What gets evaluated | Why it matters for downhill |
|---|---|
| Ability to bear weight and walk | Basic sign of stability and pain control |
| Imaging for fracture or new ligament damage | A new injury can end the Olympics immediately |
| Swelling and range of motion trends | Swelling can limit control even without “new” damage |
| Knee stability under sport-specific load | Downhill demands stable edging and fast corrections |
If she cannot demonstrate functional stability—especially with an already compromised ACL—teams often move quickly from “day to day” to “done for safety,” regardless of the athlete’s desire to race.
What this means for the rest of the women’s speed events
Sunday’s downhill proceeded after the stoppages, and the U.S. still left with a major result: Breezy Johnson won gold. But Vonn’s status now becomes a separate storyline that could influence team decisions and risk tolerance in upcoming speed events.
For fans, the most accurate summary right now is simple: Vonn is being evaluated, and the public does not yet have a detailed diagnosis from Sunday’s crash.
Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, CBS News, Yahoo Sports
