CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn’s pursuit of Olympic glory took a dramatic and unfortunate turn during the women’s downhill event at the renowned Olympia delle Tofane slope, where she holds the record for the most World Cup victories. The skiing legend crashed just seconds into her run, leading to a harrowing scene on the course.
Vonn remained on her back in the snow for several minutes as medical personnel rushed to assist her. She was eventually airlifted to a hospital for further evaluation, with U.S. Ski & Snowboard later confirming that she sustained an injury but was in stable condition.
This moment capped off Vonn’s remarkable comeback journey, which officially began in November 2024, when she announced her intention to return to World Cup racing. Despite a setback just days before the Olympics—a torn ACL from a crash in Switzerland—she had forged ahead with determination, successfully completing two training runs prior to the event that held so much promise for her Olympic medal aspirations.
Unfortunately, as the race commenced, a critical error occurred. Just 10 seconds into her run, Vonn attempted to make a sharp right turn as she approached a jump. Miscalculating her trajectory, she struck a gate with her right shoulder, sending her off-balance and airborne in an uncontrollable manner. As Vonn prepared for landing, her skis pointed skyward, leaving her unable to execute a safe descent, leading to a crash that sent snow flying in a cloud.
The shocking scene unfolded before spectators who watched from the finish area, visibly shocked as they witnessed the incident on a video board. Medical personnel arrived swiftly, and the race was temporarily halted for approximately 20 minutes to allow for the situation to be addressed. The silence among the crowd was palpable as gasps echoed when Vonn fell.
A mountain rescue helicopter soon arrived to facilitate her transport to the hospital. Vonn was placed on a stretcher and airlifted with a personal medical team surrounding her, ensuring she received immediate care. Her sister, Karin Kildow, spoke to NBC about the emotional weight of the moment, stating, “She put it all out there, so it’s really hard to see.”
Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Vonn’s resilience and passion for the sport continue to inspire her fans, who were present in droves at the Olympic event. As the helicopter lifted her away from the finish area, the crowd erupted into applause, demonstrating their admiration and support for the skiing icon. The future remains uncertain, yet Vonn’s legacy in the sport and her unwavering determination promise to leave a lasting impact on both fans and fellow athletes alike.