Lindsey Vonn Faces Olympic Uncertainty After Dramatic Crash

On a day that was supposed to be a final tune-up before the Olympic spotlight, Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable comeback story took a dramatic—and potentially devastating—turn. The 41-year-old American skiing legend crashed during the final World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just one week ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The incident left Vonn clutching her left knee, limping to the finish, and facing a race against time to keep her Olympic dream alive.

The race, which unfolded on January 30, 2026, was marred by treacherous conditions. Snow fell steadily, visibility deteriorated, and the course itself had already been shortened due to the weather. Vonn, who started as the sixth racer and was leading at the first checkpoint, lost control after landing a jump off-balance on the upper section of the course. She lifted her left arm and pole in a desperate attempt to regain her balance, but as she tried to brake, she spun around and crashed hard into the safety netting. Her airbag deployed on impact, and she remained down for several moments as medical staff rushed to her side.

After about five minutes of attention, Vonn managed to stand, but the pain was evident. She gingerly skied down the slope, repeatedly taking weight off her left leg and using her poles for support. She paused twice on the way, clutching her left knee, before finally reaching the finish area. There, she was met by teammate Jacqueline Wiles, who had completed her run minutes earlier and was leading when the race was abruptly canceled. The two shared a long, emotional embrace before Vonn limped into the medical tent for further evaluation.

Moments later, Vonn was airlifted from the finish area by helicopter, suspended from a rope and attended by medical personnel as she was transported across the Swiss Alps. The sight of one of the sport’s most decorated athletes dangling above the mountain was both dramatic and sobering. "She has some pain so it’s better to have some checks, the physio did some checks, they seemed OK but there were things he was not 100% sure so it was good to have it checked," Vonn’s coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, told Reuters.

The crash was the third of the day among the first six racers. Austria’s Nina Ortlieb tumbled into the netting in the same upper section as Vonn but was able to ski away, while Norway’s Marte Monsen hit the nets near the bottom of the course and had to be taken away on a stretcher with facial injuries. The repeated accidents, coupled with the worsening weather, led race officials to cancel the event. "The flat light was getting more and more challenging and safety could no longer be guaranteed," race director Peter Gerdol said, according to FIS-ski.com. "This is mainly the reason we decided to stop this race—for the safety of the athletes."

Romane Miradoli of France, one of the few to complete her run, echoed concerns about the conditions. "You can’t see, and it’s bumpy everywhere," she said. Asked if it was dangerous, Miradoli added, "We just couldn’t see well." The dangerous weather was not the only somber note; the race began in a subdued mood as Crans-Montana continues to recover from a tragic New Year’s Day fire that killed 40 people and injured more than 100. The finish area was stripped of the usual sponsor banners, replaced instead with white and black ribbons and the message "Our thoughts are with you" in multiple languages.

Vonn’s crash could not have come at a worse time. The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to open in just one week, with Vonn scheduled to compete in the women’s downhill on February 8, as well as the super-G and the new team combined event. The women’s alpine events will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds the record for 12 World Cup wins—a testament to her dominance on those slopes.

Despite the setback, Vonn wasted no time in addressing her fans and the broader ski community. In a statement posted to Instagram, she wrote, "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, "I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it."

Vonn’s determination is nothing new. After retiring in 2019 due to mounting injuries, she made a stunning return to World Cup racing in December 2024, following a partial titanium replacement in her right knee. This season, she has been nothing short of sensational, leading the World Cup downhill standings with two victories and five podium finishes in five races. Including super-G, Vonn had completed eight World Cup races this season, finishing no worse than fourth and standing on the podium seven times. Her resurgence at age 41 has been hailed as one of sport’s most remarkable comebacks, making her a favorite for gold in Milan Cortina.

But Vonn’s career has always balanced triumph and adversity. She tore ligaments in her right knee in a high-speed crash at the 2013 world championships and missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics after further injury. Over the years, she’s also broken arms and legs, sustained a concussion, and endured countless setbacks. Yet, time and again, she has fought her way back to the top of the sport. Her Olympic gold from Vancouver 2010 and her record-breaking World Cup wins have cemented her status as one of the greatest female skiers of all time.

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard team confirmed Vonn was being evaluated following the fall, and her status for the Olympics remains uncertain. The first official downhill training run in Cortina d’Ampezzo is scheduled for February 5, leaving little time for recovery. The entire ski world now waits anxiously for updates on Vonn’s condition, hoping that her indomitable spirit and renowned resilience will once again carry her back to the start gate.

For now, Vonn’s Olympic dream hangs in the balance. But if history has taught us anything, it’s never wise to count Lindsey Vonn out—not until the final gate has been crossed.