Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Gamble Ends in Crash After Racing With Ruptured ACL
American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday, bringing a dramatic and emotional end to one of the Games’ most extraordinary comeback stories.
The 41-year-old had elected to compete despite having ruptured her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just nine days earlier during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Medical scans later confirmed the severity of the injury, but Vonn insisted on pushing forward, determined to race if she could safely make it down the course.
In the build-up to the Olympic race, Vonn successfully completed two official training runs on the iconic Olimpia delle Tofane slope, wearing a heavily reinforced knee brace. Her participation alone drew global attention, given the rarity and risk of competing in alpine skiing with such a serious injury.
However, during the race itself, Vonn lost control early in her run after leaving the start gate. She crashed heavily and slid down the piste, prompting an immediate response from medical personnel. The race was briefly halted as officials attended to her, with Vonn remaining on the snow for an extended period while being assessed.
According to race officials and team sources, she was eventually assisted off the course, sparking concern among spectators and fellow athletes. While there was no immediate indication of a new major injury, the crash effectively ended her hopes of finishing the event.
Vonn had returned to elite competition after retiring in 2019, a career previously defined by repeated knee injuries, resilience, and historic success. She is a four-time overall World Cup champion and Olympic downhill gold medalist, widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time.
Her decision to race at the Olympics with a fully ruptured ACL became one of the most talked-about moments of the Games a testament to her determination and competitive spirit, even as it ended in disappointment on the Cortina slopes.
Despite the crash, Vonn’s presence at the Winter Olympics added a powerful chapter to her legacy, reinforcing her reputation as an athlete willing to confront extraordinary odds in pursuit of one final Olympic moment.