Shock crash days before Olympic opening at San Siro
Lindsey Vonn’s bid for another Olympic medal suffered a dramatic setback in Switzerland, but the American skiing icon insists her Milano Cortina 2026 journey is not over. The 41-year-old was airlifted to hospital after crashing heavily during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, just days before the Winter Games begin with the opening ceremony at San Siro in Milan.
Vonn lost control after landing awkwardly from a jump, spinning sideways into the safety nets and immediately clutching her left knee. Medical teams treated her on the piste before transporting her by helicopter as race officials later abandoned the event due to worsening weather and multiple early falls.
From titanium knee to World Cup wins
The timing could hardly be more cruel. Vonn’s return to elite racing followed a partial right knee titanium replacement, after which she came out of retirement in November 2024. Since then, she has produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in alpine skiing history, winning in St. Moritz and Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, and becoming the oldest women’s downhill World Cup winner.
Speaking previously about her physical transformation, Vonn explained her renewed power: “I mean, big butts will always be in. I’ve gained muscle and weight because ski racing is a gravity sport. I need that mass. The more I weigh, the faster I am.”
Those results had positioned her as a genuine medal contender ahead of the women’s downhill at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo, scheduled for 8 February.
Coach’s reassurance and Vonn’s defiance
Vonn’s coach this season, Aksel Lund Svindal, offered cautious optimism after the crash: “She has some pain, so it’s better to have some checks. The physio did some tests and they seemed OK, but there were things he wasn’t 100 per cent sure about.”
The skier herself addressed fans directly: “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over.” She added that she remains in close consultation with her doctors and team while undergoing further examinations.
Race abandoned amid difficult conditions
The Crans-Montana downhill was halted after multiple early crashes, including Norway’s Marte Monsen, who was also taken to hospital. Visibility was poor, the course had already been shortened, and conditions deteriorated rapidly, prompting organisers to prioritise athlete safety.
Vonn, who had been leading at the first checkpoint, was seen gingerly skiing down after the crash, repeatedly testing her knee before reaching the finish area, where she embraced teammate Jacqueline Wiles before entering a medical tent.
Competition shadowed by tragedy in resort
The event unfolded against a sombre backdrop. Crans-Montana has been in mourning following a New Year’s Eve bar fire in the resort that claimed 40 lives and injured more than 100 people, casting a muted atmosphere over what was meant to be the final major downhill before Olympic preparations begin.
Race against time for Cortina
With official Olympic downhill training runs due to start shortly, Vonn now faces an urgent battle against the clock. Yet her career is defined by resilience: Olympic downhill gold at Vancouver 2010, bronze medals in Super-G and Pyeongchang 2018, and countless comebacks from serious injury.
For now, the focus remains on recovery — but Vonn’s message is unmistakable. At 41, after titanium surgery, World Cup wins and another brutal crash, she is still refusing to surrender her place on the Olympic stage at Milano Cortina 2026.
