Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic comeback ended in heartbreak as the American skiing icon was airlifted to hospital after crashing in the early stages of her women’s downhill run in Cortina
A fairytale return for skiing legend Lindsey Vonn was shattered just seconds into her run on in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics in Cortina.
The 41-year-old damaged her ACL when falling in a World Cup contest at Crans-Montana just over a week ago, but she would not let that stop her of attempting to achieve Olympic glory.
She started Sunday’s event at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre with fans all hoping to see the American athlete look to complete an Olympic comeback by taking gold.
Despite the ACL injury, Vonn, her coaches and fans still had high hopes for glory. However, fans and the world were shocked by how scenes unfolded at the Milano Cortina 2026 event.
Vonn initially retired from the sport in 2019 due to injury but, after undergoing a partial knee replacement in April 2024, she returned to competition in December that year and had won two World Cup events this season before her fall in Switzerland.
Vonn had successfully completed two practice runs on the course on Friday and Saturday, wearing a brace on her injured knee and her coach Aksel Lund Svindal felt she was in “good enough” condition to challenge for a medal. It is suspected that today would be her last competitive skiing event, ending a dream comeback to the sport.
How did Lindsey Vonn crash?
Vonn started as the 13th skier to take to the course as fans anticipated her to make an impressive time. However, hope turned to fear after Vonn was seen clipping the gate just seconds into the course.
The speed at which Vonn was travelling along with clipping the gate, caused the skiing icon to somersault off the course as silence fell on Cortina crowd after sudden gasps.
Vonn was on the ground with her screams audible for all to hear. The event was halted for around 15 minutes as medical teams raced to her on the course. She was eventually airlifted off the course, as spectators cheered her as the helicopter flew over them.
How did her teammates react?
The shocking scenes saw the crowd fall silent and mixed emotions from her teammates, one of which was eagely awaiting to see if she would became Olympic champion.
Teamate Breezy Johnson would eventaully take the title but some of her first thoughts were for Vonn.
She said: “My heart goes out to her. I hope it’s not as bad as it looked.
“I know how difficult it is to ski this course and how sometimes, because you love this course so much, when you crash on it and hurts you like that, it hurts that much worse. My heart just goes out to her.”
Another team-mate Jacqueline Wiles, who came in fourth place, spoke of Vonn’s influence over the squad.
She said: “I’m still processing a lot, after what happened with Lindsey. She looks hurt quite a bit. So I’m really happy, proud of Breezy and my heart hurts for Lindsey.
“It sucks for her. We’re such a tight group. Lindsey has really been a huge mentor for all of us and seeing her go down like that, it really sucks.
“It doesn’t change anything about her legacy. She’s a fighter and that’s the way that she’s going to go out and ski every time.”
Health update and hospital trouble
Vonn is reported to be in a “stable condition” after her fairytale Olympic comeback ended.
In an update on X, the US Ski and Snowboard Team said: “Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians.”
Due to the severity of her injuries, the nearest hospital was suspected of not being equipped enough to provide the necessary treatment for Vonn, so she was reportedly taken to one further away.
Speaking on BBC just before midday, former British skier Chemmy Alcott, visibly emotional about the incident, said: “I was just speaking to Enrica Cipriani who is part of the ‘Team Vonn’, actually one of the photos I think I sent you guys was one of her sitting on the chair lift with Lindsey this morning when we all thought this was going to end in a fairytale.
“She said the good news is that Lindsey Vonn’s doctor, who did her knee, was here on the hill and was able to get in that helicopter with her.
“They are currently in Cortina, the helicopter landed. But she won’t be going to the local hospital, it can’t deliver on what she needs. Likely she’ll be going over to Innsbruck.”
Vonn’s sister would late provide an update on the skiing icons treatment, also confirming that Vonn’s surgeon is present and they will be heading to a medical facility.
Speaking to USA Today, Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow said: “I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay.
“And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign. But she really…she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see but we just really hope she’s okay.
“She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”
‘Tragic’ end to an amazing career?
International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) president Johan Eliasch described her fall as “tragic”.
He said: “I can only say thank you for what she has done for our sport, because this race has been the talk of the Games and it’s put our sport in the best possible light.
“I hope she will have a speedy recovery and be back on skis very soon.”
When asked whether some felt Vonn should not have been allowed to race with her injury, he added: “Well then they don’t know Lindsey. That’s all I can say.”