Lindsey Vonn Suffers Ruptured ACL but Pledges to Compete at 2026 Winter Olympics
American ski legend Lindsey Vonn has stunned the winter sports world by announcing she will still compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina despite suffering a complete rupture of her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just days before the Games.
The 41‑year‑old Olympic champion revealed the injury after a dramatic crash during a World Cup downhill race in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland, late last week. Vonn was airlifted from the scene for immediate medical attention following the high‑speed fall, which also caused bone bruising and meniscal damage to her left knee.
Determined to Race Despite Serious Injury
In a press conference held on Tuesday, Vonn confirmed the severity of the injury but made it clear that her Olympic ambitions remain intact. She said she has already returned to the slopes in training with a specially fitted knee brace and felt confident enough to try for the starting gate in Sunday’s women’s downhill event.
“It feels stable, it feels strong,” Vonn told reporters. “My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete.”
The American ski star, widely regarded as one of the greatest female alpine skiers of all time, stressed that while her chances have changed since the crash, her determination to race has not. “I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same now, but as long as there’s a chance, I will try,” she said.
A Remarkable Comeback Story
Vonn’s decision to race in Milan Cortina comes after a remarkable comeback to competitive skiing. She returned to the World Cup tour after nearly six years away, even undergoing major surgery and racing with a partial titanium knee implant. Before her crash in Switzerland, Vonn had already found podium form this season, finishing on the podium in almost every downhill she entered.
If she manages to compete, it would be her fifth Olympic appearance and a testament to her resilience and competitive spirit. Vonn has already won three Olympic medals in her career: gold in downhill and bronze in super‑G at the 2010 Vancouver Games, and bronze in the downhill at PyeongChang 2018.
Events on the Olympic Schedule
Vonn’s first event will be the women’s downhill on Sunday, February 8, followed by potential starts in the super‑G and team combined events later in the Games — provided her knee holds up under the intense demands of competitive alpine racing. (https://www.wdtv.com)
Medical Support and Risks
Skiing with a ruptured ACL is extremely rare, especially in a discipline as fast and physically demanding as downhill. The ACL is crucial for knee stability, particularly during high‑speed turns and jumps. Vonn’s medical team has reportedly been monitoring her closely, and her use of a stabilizing brace is intended to protect the injured ligament while still allowing for controlled, competitive skiing.
Experts caution that skiing on a torn ACL carries significant risk, and Vonn’s choice highlights both her fierce competitive drive and the enduring legacy she has built in the sport.
Legacy and Fan Support
Fans and fellow athletes have expressed admiration and concern as Vonn continues her Olympic journey against the odds. Whether she stands on the podium again or simply crosses the finish line, her presence at Milan Cortina is already being hailed as one of the most dramatic stories of this Olympic Winter Games.
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