TREVISO, Italy – Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable attempt to recapture Olympic glory ended in heartbreak on Sunday, a crash during the women’s downhill competition resulting in a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old American, who came out of a six-year retirement to compete at the Milan Cortina Games, underwent surgery following the incident and is facing an uncertain future, with her father suggesting this may mark the end of her storied career.
The crash occurred early in Vonn’s run, and the sound of her pain was audible on the television broadcast. Spectators and fellow athletes alike were visibly shaken as she was airlifted to hospital. Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Vonn was already competing while recovering from a ruptured ACL suffered just a week prior.
In a detailed Instagram post on Monday, Vonn explained the circumstances of the crash, clarifying that it wasn’t related to her recent knee injury. “I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash,” she wrote. “My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.” Despite the devastating outcome, Vonn expressed no regrets about her decision to race, stating, “Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself. I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport.”
The reaction to Vonn’s crash has been mixed, with some questioning her decision to compete so soon after injuring her knee. However, those within the skiing community who understand the inherent risks of the sport have largely defended her choice. US teammate Keely Cashman offered a stark assessment of the situation, explaining, “People that don’t know ski racing don’t really understand what happened yesterday. She hooked her arm on the gate, which twisted her around. She was going probably 70mph, and so that twists your body around.” Cashman emphatically stated that the crash “had nothing to do with her ACL, nothing to do with her knee,” dismissing the criticism as “totally incorrect.”
Vonn’s return to competition in 2025, following six years of retirement and knee replacement surgery, was a story that captivated the sporting world. She defied expectations by reaching the podium in all five World Cup downhill races she entered leading up to the Olympics, even securing two victories. However, a crash at the end of January that initially ruptured her ACL raised concerns about her ability to safely pursue a second Olympic gold medal, a goal she achieved in 2010.
Despite the concerns, Vonn received support from her peers. Italy’s Federica Brignone, a two-time world champion, firmly defended Vonn’s autonomy. “It’s her choice,” Brignone said. “If it’s your body, then you decide what to do, whether to race or not. It’s not up to others. Only you.” Another US teammate, Kyle Negomir, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Lindsey’s a grown woman and the best speed skier to ever do this sport. If she made her decision, I think she should absolutely be allowed to take that risk. She’s obviously good enough that she’s capable of pulling it off.”
However, Alan Kildow, Vonn’s father, believes the crash signals the end of her racing career. He told the Associated Press on Monday, “She’s 41 years old, and this is the end of her career. There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.” Kildow and Vonn’s siblings are currently at her bedside as she recovers in hospital in Treviso.
Vonn’s career has been defined by both extraordinary success and significant adversity. Her dedication to the sport, even in the face of repeated injuries, has been a source of inspiration for many. While her future remains uncertain, her impact on the world of skiing is undeniable. The crash at the Milan Cortina Games marks a painful end to a remarkable Olympic journey, but it does not diminish the legacy of one of the sport’s most iconic figures.
