Lindsey Vonn has been the woman to watch in the 2026 Winter Olympics, but on 8 February, she had to be taken off the mountain by helicopter after suffering a crash. The American ski racer, 41, crashed in the women's downhill competition at the Winter Olympics, which is taking place in Italy, just nine days after rupturing her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
The pro skier, who hails from Minnesota, successfully completed two training runs on the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina but crashed early on in her run. Following the crash, she was tended to for a long period on the slope before being airlifted by helicopter to seek further medical attention.
© AFP via Getty ImagesLindsey's Olympic crash
Lindsey took a risk by competing on Sunday. She previously confirmed that she will compete in the Winter Olympics after a devastating injury that has left her ACL "completely" ruptured.
© Alamy Stock Photo"It was painful initially after the crash," the sports star said. "I had a feeling it was bad, but I held out hope until I saw the MRI in front of me. But I have not cried, I have not deviated from my plan."
The skiing star, who has come out of retirement to take part in the 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina, told the press that she was not in any pain and was resting fully. She then tested her knee in the days leading up to the downhill event on Sunday, February 8.
© Alamy Stock PhotoIt remains undetermined if she will compete in the Super-G event next week.
Onlookers react to Lindsey's crash
USA Today Sports reported that Lindsey "got off balance in the air off the first jump", meaning all her weight shifted to the backs of her skis. She tried to "right herself in the air but couldn’t and crashed to the snow".
© AFP via Getty ImagesOnlookers watched on in shock, with AP News' sports commentator on the ground in Cortina posting on X: "It's been 45 minutes since Lindsey Vonn crashed, and it still feels like all the air has been sucked out of Cortina. The race resumed 20 minutes ago or so, other events are happening, but the vibe is very different right now."
A statement from the US Ski & Snowboard team said the star "will be evaluated by medical staff."
A statement on Lindsey's condition
President of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, Johan Eliasch, added that Lindsey will be taken to a local hospital or one further depending on the severity of injury, which is currently undetermined. Eliasch called the crash "tragic" and said "the silence was deafening."
© AFP via Getty ImagesPrior to the race, Lindsey had said her knee felt stable and strong. In the week leading up to the race, she also dedicated time to intense rehab, pool workouts, weight lifting and plyometrics.
Lindsey's sister, Karin Kildow, who was at the course on Sunday for the downhill race, told NBC: "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.
© Getty Images"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 added. "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."
Lindsey's Olympic comeback
Lindsey's appearance at the 2026 Winter Olympics marks a comeback to the competition after a six-year-long retirement. In April 2024, she underwent a partial knee replacement on her right side to alleviate chronic pain from years of injuries. It was a comeback for the history books, as before her, no woman had ever won a race of this nature past the age of 34.
© AFP via Getty Images"If it had been anywhere else, I would probably say it's not worth it," she said of her appearance at the 2026 Olympics last October. "But for me, there's something special about Cortina that always pulls me back, and it's pulled me back one last time."
