CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable attempt to defy the odds and capture Olympic gold in the women’s downhill ended in heartbreak Sunday, as the American skiing icon suffered a broken leg in a high-speed crash just 13 seconds into her run. The 41-year-old Vonn, already competing with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee, was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso for surgery.
The crash occurred on the Olympia delle Tofane slope at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. According to the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team, Vonn’s right ski pole snagged a gate, throwing her off balance and leading to the fall. Video footage showed Vonn tumbling down the slope before coming to a rest, visibly in pain.
“She was airlifted from the mountain, a common practice for injuries during alpine competition,” the U.S. Ski & Snowboard team said in a statement. Hospital officials confirmed Vonn underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture in her left leg and is currently being monitored in the intensive care unit, though her life is not in danger.
The incident cast a shadow over an otherwise triumphant day for the U.S. Ski Team, as Vonn’s teammate, Breezy Johnson, secured the gold medal in the women’s downhill with a winning time of 1 minute 36.1 seconds. Johnson became only the second American woman to win the Olympic downhill, following Vonn’s victory in Vancouver in 2010.
Emma Aicher of Germany claimed silver with a time of 1:36.14, while Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in 1:36.69. Canada’s Cassidy Gray finished 26th, and Val Grenier was disqualified.
Vonn’s participation in the Olympics was already a testament to her resilience. She had been sidelined for years due to a series of knee injuries, including a titanium implant in her right knee. Her recent ACL tear in her left knee just nine days prior to the race made her bid for gold even more improbable.
“She’ll be OK, but it’s going to be a bit of a process,” said Anouk Patty, chief of sport for U.S. Ski and Snowboard. “This sport’s brutal, and people need to remember when they’re watching [that] these athletes are throwing themselves down a mountain and going really, really fast.”
The crash brought a hush over the crowd, including members of Vonn’s family who were waiting at the finish line. Her sister, Karin Kildow, spoke to American broadcaster Peacock, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support and acknowledging the inherent risks of the sport. “She always goes 110 per cent, there’s never anything less, so I know she put her whole heart into it and sometimes things happen. It’s a very dangerous sport,” Kildow said.
Vonn’s sister also relayed that the family would be meeting her at the hospital for evaluation.
The incident prompted reflections on Vonn’s enduring legacy and her impact on the sport. Johan Eliasch, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, praised Vonn’s contributions. “It’s definitely tragic, but it’s ski racing,” Eliasch said. “I can only say thank you for what she has done for our sport, because this race has been the talk of the games and it’s put our sport in the best possible light.”
Vonn’s history with Cortina d’Ampezzo is a significant part of her story. The Olympia delle Tofane course has been a frequent site of her success, with a record 12 World Cup wins. She had tested the course twice in downhill training runs leading up to Sunday’s race.
Prior to the race, Vonn had expressed optimism about her chances, despite her recent injury. “This would be the best comeback I’ve done so far,” she said. “Definitely the most dramatic.”
Vonn’s career has been marked by both triumph and adversity. Her ability to return from multiple injuries and continue competing at the highest level has been an inspiration to many. Her 2006 experience at the Turin Olympics, where she raced just 48 hours after a training crash, demonstrated her unwavering determination.
The circumstances surrounding Vonn’s crash underscore the inherent dangers of downhill skiing, a sport that demands both incredible athleticism and courage. While her Olympic journey ended prematurely, her legacy as one of the greatest skiers of all time remains secure.
