SUMMARY
- Vonn, 41, completed the 1.6-mile downhill course in 1:40.33 while wearing a knee brace and No. 10 bib.
- The ACL tear is a severe injury typically sidelining athletes for a year, yet Vonn intends to compete in the women’s alpine downhill beginning Sunday.
- Vonn’s training run underscores her resilience and highlights ongoing challenges for athletes managing chronic knee injuries.
Olympic gold medalist and American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn defied expectations Friday by completing her first women’s downhill training run just one week after a complete anterior cruciate ligament tear during a World Cup race at Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
Vonn’s training run Friday at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre came amid fog delays, testing both her skill and determination.
Despite occasional deviations from the course and near missed gates, she crossed the finish line without apparent limitation.
Team USA teammate Breezy Johnson celebrated her effort, and Vonn’s brief response to media inquiries was a simple “Yup.”
Vonn disclosed her ACL injury on X, confirming the ligament was “100% gone,” following a partial right knee replacement in 2024.
The World Cup veteran holds 12 career wins at Cortina, including six in the downhill. ACL injuries are usually career-threatening for elite skiers, often requiring surgical reconstruction and a year of rehabilitation.
Sports medicine specialists note that Vonn’s decision to ski a week after a full ACL tear carries high risk.
Dr. Thomas Gill, orthopedic surgeon and professor at the University of California, said, “Competing with a ruptured ACL can cause further knee damage and long-term instability.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Annelise Rupp, director of the International Ski Federation (FIS) medical commission, added, “Vonn’s training run is exceptional but medically atypical. It demonstrates her elite conditioning and mental resilience.”
Breezy Johnson, Team USA alpine skier, said, “Watching Lindsey ski like that just days after her injury is inspiring. She pushes limits few would attempt.”
Cortina event director Marco Rossi added, “Her determination is remarkable and sets a new benchmark for resilience in alpine skiing.”
Vonn plans to compete Sunday in the women’s alpine downhill. While her performance may not be at pre-injury levels, it signals potential participation, contingent on safety assessments and medical clearance.
Lindsey Vonn’s training run highlights both the risks and determination involved in elite alpine skiing. Her effort provides insight into athlete resilience, chronic injury management, and the ongoing pursuit of competitive excellence.
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