Lindsey Vonn plans Olympic race despite torn ACL after crash in Switzerland
Lindsey Vonn revealed she tore her right ACL in a recent crash but still intends to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old will race with a brace in the women’s downhill, the event she won in 2010. Despite additional knee damage, Vonn remains determined to chase one final Olympic moment at Cortina.
Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback took a painful turn as the 41 year old American announced on Tuesday that she tore her right ACL in a crash last week in Switzerland, yet she still plans to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics at Cortina d'Ampezzo.
Vonn said she also suffered bone bruising and meniscus damage, but after testing her knee in practice runs, she feels stable enough to race with the help of a brace. She is targeting Sunday’s women’s downhill, the same event where she won Olympic gold in 2010.
Speaking to the reporters on tuesday Vonn said, "This is not, obviously, what I had hoped for," she added, “I know my chances aren't the same as it stands today, but I know there's still a chance, and as long as there's a chance, I will try."
The crash happened during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana on Jan. 30. Vonn lost balance after a jump, slid across the course at high speed, and slammed into the safety netting. She was able to stand up but struggled to put weight on her leg and was airlifted out as a precaution.
Poor visibility and risky conditions affected several skiers that day. Two others failed to finish before organizers stopped the race for safety reasons. Vonn had started the race aggressively, clocking the fastest time through the first checkpoint before the fall.
Her comeback story had already made her one of the main faces of the Milan Cortina Games. Vonn retired in 2019 because of years of injuries. After a partial knee replacement in April 2024, her goal was simply to live without pain. Feeling stronger than expected, she surprised everyone in late 2024 by announcing her return to racing.
This season, she showed she still belongs at the top. She won downhill races and stood on the podium in super G events, raising real hopes that she could fight for medals again.
“I feel stable, I feel strong, my knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday," Vonn said.
The women’s downhill is set for Feb. 8, followed by the super G four days later. Vonn still plans to race both. Now the focus is not just on medals, but on whether her injured knee will allow her to push through one more time at full speed.