A Shocking Crash on the Eve of History (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy — Skiing icon Lindsey Vonn declared her intent to chase medals at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics after sustaining a complete tear of her left ACL in a high-speed crash.[1][2]
A Shocking Crash on the Eve of History
Last Friday, Vonn tumbled into safety netting during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Medics treated her on the slope before she gingerly skied to the finish line, favoring her left leg. Rescuers airlifted her to a hospital for evaluation, standard protocol for such incidents.[3]
Scans later confirmed the extent of the damage: a fully ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, bone bruising, and meniscal tears. Vonn revealed these details during a news conference Tuesday in Cortina d’Ampezzo, site of the women’s Olympic downhill on Sunday. She described the injury as unexpected yet familiar territory in her storied career.[4]
Built on a Foundation of Comebacks
Vonn, now 41, returned to competition in 2024 following nearly six years of retirement and a partial knee replacement in her right leg. She dominated the current World Cup downhill season with two victories and three additional podiums in five starts, positioning herself as a gold-medal favorite.[4] Her resurgence capped a career marked by three Olympic medals, including gold in 2010.
This marked her third ACL tear, alongside fractures and other setbacks. Yet Vonn referenced past successes, such as medaling at the 2019 world championships despite knee issues. “I’ve been in this position before. I know how to handle it,” she stated.[3]
Experts Weigh the Risks and Realities
Orthopedic specialists noted that skiing without a fully intact ACL remains feasible for elites, thanks to muscle strength and bracing. Vonn reported no swelling, stability in the joint, and responsive muscles, bolstering her optimism.[5] She plans to test the knee in a mandatory training run before Sunday’s race.
Precedents exist: Italian skier Sofia Goggia earned Olympic silver in 2022 shortly after a partial ACL tear and fibula fracture. Fellow American Breezy Johnson raced Cortina without an ACL in 2022. Still, physicians cautioned that added stress from a brace could heighten long-term risks, especially at Vonn’s age and speeds exceeding 85 mph.[6]
Full Speed Toward the Starting Gate
Vonn emphasized her resolve: “I will do everything in my power to be in the starting gate.” She eyes the downhill first, with potential expansion to super-G and combined events if the knee holds.[2] Training sessions this week will dictate her full schedule.
Leading the downhill standings, Vonn views the Olympics as “icing on the cake” after her improbable return. Her knee improved daily post-crash, she added, fueling confidence despite diminished odds.[3]
- Third ACL injury in career, following multiple fractures and 2024 right-knee surgery.
- Current World Cup downhill leader with two wins, three podiums.
- Olympic history: Gold (2010 downhill), two bronzes.
- Injury details: Complete left ACL rupture, bone bruise, meniscus damage.
- Plan: Brace-supported racing, starting with Sunday downhill.
Key Takeaways
- Vonn’s knee shows stability and no swelling, key for high-speed descent.
- Experts affirm elite skiers have succeeded with similar injuries.
- Her experience and season form keep medal hopes alive.
Lindsey Vonn’s unyielding pursuit exemplifies grit in the face of fragility, reminding us that true champions rewrite the rules of recovery. Will she conquer Cortina’s slopes once more? Share your thoughts in the comments.
