Lindsey Vonn faced a harrowing incident in her final World Cup downhill race on Friday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just days ahead of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The celebrated American skier lost control after landing a jump, skidding sideways into the safety net as heavy snow and poor visibility plagued the slopes. After the crash, Vonn was seen limping and cradling her left knee as race officials decided to abandon the race due to worsening conditions.
The 41-year-old, competing in what was supposed to be her last competitive downhill run before the Olympics, was the first seeded skier to leave the gate and was leading at the first checkpoint. As she attempted to regain control after landing, she went off balance, which led to her skidding into the protective fencing. Deploying her airbag upon impact, Vonn remained on the ground for several moments before medical personnel arrived to assist her.
Though Vonn managed to stand and ski away slowly with the aid of her poles, she exhibited visible distress, frequently shifting her weight off her left leg. At the finish area, Vonn was embraced by her teammate Jacqueline Wiles before heading into a medical tent for evaluation. In a concerning turn, she was later airlifted to further medical attention as the race was scrapped shortly after her crash, highlighting the treacherous conditions that had already seen other competitors, including Austria’s Nina Ortlieb and Norway’s Marte Monsen, suffer falls.
Race conditions were severely criticized, with skiers like Romane Miradoli remarking on the poor visibility, emphasizing the bumpy nature of the course and the inability to see clearly. The incident has raised critical concerns for Team USA and Olympic organizers, as Vonn is anticipated to compete in the women’s downhill event scheduled for February 8. She has also entered the super-G and the team combined event during the Games, where she aims to add to her remarkable career in Cortina d’Ampezzo, a site where she has secured an impressive 12 World Cup victories.
Vonn’s recent performance has shown her to be in exceptional form, leading the World Cup downhill standings with five podium finishes this season, including two victories. This competitive resurgence is particularly remarkable as it follows her partial knee replacement on the right leg less than two years ago. After coming out of retirement last season, Vonn has reported that her physical condition has improved significantly, making this incident especially concerning for her Olympic aspirations.
Having endured a career marked by serious injuries—including a torn ligament in her knee during the 2013 World Championships—Vonn has always pushed through challenges. As one of the most decorated athletes in skiing history, with Olympic gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games, her resilience remains an inspiration. As the first official downhill training run approaches next Wednesday, fans and teammates alike are hopeful that Vonn can recover swiftly, allowing her to participate in the upcoming Olympic events and add to her legacy.