American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn, 41, was airlifted to hospital after a crash in the final FIS World Cup downhill race before the 2026 Winter Olympics, but she says her “Olympic dream is not over.” The incident occurred on Jan. 30 in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just one week before the start of the Milano-Cortina Winter Games.
Vonn lost control while landing a jump in difficult conditions marked by poor visibility and snow, sending her into the course’s safety nets and injuring her left knee. She was assessed by medical staff on the snow, then airlifted for further evaluation at a local hospital. Race organisers subsequently cancelled the event after three crashes among the first six competitors.
Despite the setback, Vonn took to social media to offer an optimistic update: “This is a very difficult outcome … but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback,” she wrote, adding that she is consulting with her medical team about next steps. She also thanked fans for their support and medical staff who aided her on site.
Vonn, a former Olympic gold medallist and World Cup champion, came out of retirement in late 2024 after a knee replacement surgery and had enjoyed a remarkable return to form, including multiple podium finishes this season. Her 2026 Olympic schedule included downhill, super-G, and combined events — with the women’s downhill set to begin Feb. 8 in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Her career has been marked by repeated resiliency in the face of injury — Vonn once underwent nine knee surgeries and returned to elite competition — but the timing of this latest crash, so close to the Olympic opening ceremony on Feb. 6, makes her participation uncertain as medical evaluations continue.
The crash came amid a weekend of tough conditions that challenged even the world’s top skiers, and Vonn’s status for the upcoming Games will hinge on her recovery in the days ahead. Her message of determination has resonated with fans worldwide, many of whom are watching closely to see if she’ll defy the odds again and compete at her fifth Winter Olympics.
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