Lindsey Vonn’s journey toward the upcoming Olympics is now uncertain following a fall during a World Cup downhill race on Friday in Crans Montana, Switzerland. The race was ultimately cancelled after several early crashes raised safety concerns.
Vonn, a prominent figure in American Alpine skiing, crashed just 20 seconds into her run, losing her balance after a jump and colliding with the netting. Medical personnel quickly attended to her as she remained on the ground, grimacing and favoring her left knee. After several moments, she managed to get back on her feet, gingerly walking before clipping back into her skis to descend the mountain, visibly in pain and stopping twice to clutch her left knee, which is particularly concerning as her right knee had undergone surgery just the previous year.
Despite her discomfort, Vonn crossed the finish line with speed and waved at the cheering crowd before heading to the medical tent for evaluation. Her American teammate, Jacqueline Wiles, offered support with a hug upon her finish.
Vonn’s situation is currently being assessed by U.S. Ski & Snowboard following the incident. The race had already been plagued with difficulties, as three out of the first six racers experienced crashes prior to its cancellation due to poor light and unsafe conditions. Among those affected were Austria’s Nina Ortlieb, who crashed in the same area as Vonn, and Norway’s Marte Monsen, who sustained a heavy fall shortly before the finish.
This event was meant to be the final downhill competition before the Olympics. Italian skier Federica Brignone, who recently recovered from a serious injury, was set to make her season debut but ultimately finished sixth in a giant slalom the previous week and is on Italy’s Olympic roster.
At 41, Vonn has shown resilience despite retiring after the 2019 world championships, mainly due to continuous injuries. After receiving a partial knee replacement in 2024, she made a successful return to competitive skiing, with notable finishes including two wins in downhill this season and leading the discipline standings. She is regarded as a strong contender for gold in the upcoming Olympics in Italy, as well as in the super-G and team combined events.
The uncertainty surrounding her injury raises questions about her participation in the Olympic Games, but with her track record of determination and her recent performance, there remains optimism for a hopeful comeback.