CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — Lindsey Vonn crashed and injured her left knee friday in her final downhill race before the Olympics but remains hopeful of competing at the Milan Cortina Winter Games.
“This is a very challenging outcome one week before the Olympics … but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback,” the 41-year-old American wrote on Instagram after being airlifted off the course for medical checks. “My Olympic dream is not over.”
Vonn was the third skier to crash in the World Cup race in Crans-Montana, losing control while landing a jump and becoming entangled in the safety nets. She received medical attention for approximately five minutes before skiing slowly to the finish line, stopping several times and clutching her left knee.
“I crashed today in the Downhill race in switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams,” vonn wrote in an Instagram post. “Thank you for all of the love and support.I will give more data when I have it.”
The race was canceled following Vonn’s crash, which occurred in difficult conditions with low visibility. International Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann stated the severity of the injury and its impact on her Olympic participation remained uncertain.
Vonn made a remarkable return to racing last season after a nearly six-year absence, skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee.She had been the leading downhiller this season, achieving two victories and three other podium finishes in five races.
The crash occurred exactly one week before the Milan Cortina opening ceremony. Vonn’s first Olympic race is the women’s downhill on Feb. 8, with plans to also compete in super-G and the team combined event.
The women’s skiing events will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds the record of 12 World Cup wins.
Vonn crashed while attempting to regain balance after landing a jump off-balance. Two other skiers, Nina Ortlieb of Austria and Marte Monsen of Norway, also crashed prior to Vonn’s incident. Visibility was poor, with snow falling, and the course was bumpy, according to racer Romane Miradoli of France.
Vonn has experienced significant injuries throughout her career, including a severe knee injury at the 2013 world championships that required being airlifted off the course and sidelined her for the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
the race in Crans-Montana began with a moment of silence to honor the victims of a recent fire that killed 40 people and injured over 100 in the town.
