Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after a crash in the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics, but she may not be ready to hang up her skis just yet
Kajsa Vickhoff Lie has calmed concerns that Lindsey Vonn might call time on her career by suggesting she wouldn’t be shocked to witness her return to the World Cup starting line-up later this year.
Vonn has gone under the knife for her fractured left leg after her Olympic return concluded with an air ambulance dash to hospital following a dramatic crash during the women’s downhill at Cortina. The 41-year-old suffered ACL damage when tumbling in a World Cup race at Crans-Montana just over a week earlier. Nevertheless, she remained determined to take part in Sunday’s competition at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre.
Beginning her descent as the 13th competitor, Vonn struck a gate and cartwheeled off the course mere seconds into her attempt, leaving the Cortina spectators stunned. Vonn remained on the ground for approximately 15 minutes before being helicoptered from the course, with onlookers applauding as the aircraft passed overhead.
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Yet despite the frightening accident, Lie, who regards Vonn as a legend, commented: “I’m really happy she came back so I can compete with her at least one more year, and learn from her as much as possible.
“I’m crossing my fingers for her, and I hope to see her back. We still have a World Cup to do after the Olympics, and I don’t know if we will see her [again] in the Olympics.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if she suddenly shows up at the start gate. But the crash didn’t look good.”
The Alpine Ski World Cup commences the fresh 2025/2026 campaign in October and will continue through to March next year. Lie “She’s crazy. For her, it’s all or nothing. It’s a huge inspiration, and to see what you can do with your body and with your mind,” she added.
“I don’t think anyone could do what Lindsey has been doing now. I mean, I am 27 years old, and maybe I could do it, but if I was 41 years old and felt like that, I really don’t think so.”
Discussing the crash, Lie said: “It is a critical section [where Vonn crashed], because it’s in the beginning, and you really need a lot of speed coming out of it. It’s super flat after it, so the goal is to be as close to that gate as possible.
“She really nailed the turn, but she was too close to it, so she was hooked into it. But that’s how it is with the Olympics – you really want to be at the limit, and she was a little bit over the limit.”
Gold medallist Breezy Johnson voiced her hope that Vonn would return to competition. “I don’t claim to know what she’s going through but I do know what it’s like to be here, to be fighting for the Olympics and to have this course burn you and to watch those dreams die,” Johnson stated.
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“I can’t imagine the pain she’s going through, and it’s not the physical pain. I wish her the best and I hope this isn’t the end.”
American Jacqueline Wiles, who finished fourth, added: “We have such a sisterhood. We travel with each other on the road. We’re a family. To watch someone that you care about so much, it sucks. My heart broke for her in that moment, but that is the inherent risk of the sport.
“We all know what can happen, and we all have a lot of love and respect for each other because of the inherent risk.”