Lindsey Vonn suffers crash during Olympic downhill final
Lindsey Vonn’s long-awaited return to Olympic skiing came to a devastating conclusion during the women’s downhill final in Cortina, as the American veteran crashed out of the competition just 13 seconds into her run, reports BritPanorama.
At 41 years old, the former Olympic champion was attempting to make a remarkable comeback after a six-year absence from competitive skiing. Vonn’s participation in Cortina was notable, particularly as she had suffered a ruptured ACL during a training session crash just nine days prior, an injury that would normally sideline an athlete for months.
The incident unfolded rapidly as Vonn approached the second corner of the course before losing control, accelerating over a hill but unable to maintain her line. She collided with a plastic marker next to the track, which threw her to the ground amidst a stunned silence from the crowd. Witnesses noted her body’s distress as she lay on the slope, with her skis still attached.
Emergency personnel raced to her side as she remained motionless, her audible cries of pain heightening the concern among spectators. Medical teams quickly assessed her condition on the scene before airlifting her to hospital. This crash marked a cruel end to Vonn’s ambitious Olympic dreams and underscored the stark realities of high-stakes competitive skiing.
The Winter Olympics, running from February 6 to February 22, 2026, will continue without one of skiing’s most celebrated athletes. Vonn has yet to release a statement regarding her condition following the incident.
In high-pressure sports environments, tales of triumph can turn tragic with a moment’s misstep—a reminder that the line between glory and hazard is often perilously thin.
