CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn’s pursuit of an improbable Olympic medal ended Sunday with a devastating crash just 13.4 seconds into the downhill final. The scene unfolded on the famed Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, bringing a heartbreaking end to a comeback story that captivated the world.
Vonn, skiing with a brace on her left knee just nine days after rupturing her ACL, was attempting to become the oldest Alpine skier, man or woman, to win an Olympic medal. The crash brought an abrupt halt to that ambition, leaving the crowd and her family in stunned silence.
Under clear, blue skies, Vonn began her run as the 13th woman down the 1.6-mile course. She tapped her poles together three times before initiating her descent. However, before reaching the first marker, she lost control and tumbled, impacting her head before coming to a stop. The broadcast captured audible gasps and cries of concern from those watching.
The atmosphere at the bottom of the hill shifted dramatically. Her family, who had been anticipating a triumphant run, fell silent, their expressions reflecting the gravity of the situation. Medical personnel quickly surrounded Vonn, securing her to a stretcher. Within half an hour, a helicopter airlifted her from the course, a stark visual representation of the day’s devastating turn.
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, spoke to NBC, expressing the family’s concern and acknowledging the immense effort Vonn had invested in her Olympic return. “She put her whole heart into making the Olympics,” Kildow said. “That’s definitely the last thing we wanted to see. When that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay, and it was scary. When you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign.” Kildow added, “She dared greatly, and she put it all out there.”
As of Sunday evening, Vonn remained under medical evaluation in Cortina, with no immediate updates on the severity of her injuries. Team USA’s Head Speed Coach Paul Kristofic confirmed that Vonn was receiving care and that the team was awaiting further information. “We don’t know anything really yet,” Kristofic told reporters. “She’s with a medical team in the hospital.”
Amidst the disappointment surrounding Vonn’s crash, American Breezy Johnson emerged victorious, claiming the gold medal with a time of 1:36.1. The margin of victory was incredibly tight, just four-hundredths of a second separating Johnson from silver. Johnson’s win marks the second time an American woman has won Olympic downhill gold, joining Vonn in achieving this feat.
However, the day will undoubtedly be remembered for Vonn’s courageous, yet ultimately heartbreaking, attempt. The crash was particularly poignant given her affection for the Tofane course, which she has consistently identified as her favorite on the World Cup circuit.
Johnson acknowledged the emotional weight of the situation, stating, “My heart goes out to her, I hope it’s not as bad as it looked and I know how difficult it is to ski this course. And how sometimes because you love this course so much when you crash on it and it hurts you like that it hurts that much worse.”
Vonn’s comeback story was already remarkable. After announcing her return to competition in 2024 following a five-year retirement due to injuries, she underwent a robotically-assisted surgery to partially replace her right knee. This procedure, combined with dedicated training, allowed her to achieve consistently strong results this season, including two World Cup victories – making her the oldest ever to win on the circuit. These performances fueled hopes that she could contend for a medal in Cortina.
Her recent crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, however, raised concerns about her ability to compete at the highest level with a compromised knee. Despite not undergoing further surgery, Vonn successfully completed two training runs on Friday and Saturday, reaching speeds of 78 mph, seemingly easing those doubts.
The risks associated with competing so soon after an ACL rupture were widely discussed. Vonn herself addressed the skepticism, responding to a social media post questioning the possibility of her recovery with a defiant statement: “My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”
Sunday’s competition proved too challenging. Vonn had attempted to win the downhill 16 years after her initial victory at the Vancouver Olympics. She had previously secured two Olympic bronze medals, in downhill in 2018 and super-G in 2010.
Andrew Greif reported from Milan and Molly Hunter reported from Cortina d’Ampezzo.
