SUMMARY
- Lindsey Vonn suffered a broken left leg in the downhill final at Cortina just nine days after rupturing her ACL.
- American Breezy Johnson won gold in the downhill with a time of 1:36.1, narrowly ahead by four hundredths of a second.
- Vonn remains under medical evaluation surgery stabilized her leg, and recovery plans are ongoing.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn’s attempt to secure an Olympic medal against overwhelming odds ended Sunday when the veteran American skier suffered a broken left leg only 13.4 seconds into the downhill final at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Vonn, 39, was competing just nine days after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee, aiming to become the oldest Alpine skier, male or female, to win an Olympic medal.
She did not finish the race, leaving the course in a red medical bag after an immediate airlift to a nearby hospital for surgery.
The crash shocked the Olympic community and underscored the risks elite athletes face when returning from serious injuries.
Vonn, a three time Olympic medalist, was attempting a remarkable comeback after five years away from competitive skiing due to prior injuries.
The incident highlights the intense physical demands of high speed Alpine racing and raises questions about athlete safety following major ligament injuries.
Vonn, a 39 Year old American skier with 84 World Cup victories, including 12 in Cortina, had been cleared to compete after testing her recently injured knee during training runs at speeds up to 78 mph.
The course at Tofane, Italy, is widely considered one of the most challenging on the circuit, claiming previous injuries from top competitors, including Mikaela Shiffrin and Breezy Johnson.
Her Olympic history includes bronze medals in the 2010 Super-G and 2018 downhill. Vonn’s attempt to race at Milan Cortina 2026 came after a robotically assisted knee surgery on her right leg, which she credited with giving her her “most consistently healthy season in a decade.”
“Competing on this course so soon after an ACL rupture is extraordinary, but it carries a high risk of additional injury,” said Dr. Michael Rosenthal, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health.
“The downhill event pushes joints to extreme limits, and even small miscalculations can result in catastrophic outcomes.”
Paul Kristofic, Team USA head speed coach, confirmed that Vonn is under continuous medical evaluation. “We don’t know anything really yet.
She’s with a medical team in the hospital, and her treatment plan will follow their guidance,” he said.
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, described the scene after the crash “That’s definitely the last thing we wanted to see.
When that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s OK, and it was scary. She dared greatly, and she put it all out there.”
Breezy Johnson, gold medalist in the downhill, reflected on Vonn’s influence “My heart goes out to her.
This course is tough, and she’s always been an inspiration. To attempt it under these circumstances shows her courage.”
Luca Zaia, governor of Veneto, confirmed that Vonn underwent surgery to stabilize the broken leg. “Medical teams acted quickly to ensure her safety and rapid treatment,” he said.
Vonn’s recovery will depend on the severity of the fracture and the condition of her previously injured ACL.
Specialists note that return to high intensity competition could take months, and long term joint stability will be a critical factor in planning any further skiing activities.
The 2026 Winter Olympics will continue, but Vonn’s crash has cast a spotlight on the risks of early return after severe ligament injuries, prompting renewed attention to athlete safety protocols in elite skiing competitions.
Lindsey Vonn injury abruptly ended her Olympic medal pursuit, marking a dramatic and emotional moment at the Milan-Cortina Games.
While American Breezy Johnson claimed gold, the event will be remembered for Vonn’s extraordinary courage and the fragility of even the most accomplished athletes when facing high speed Alpine competition.
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