Lindsey Vonn was airlifted from the World Cup downhill course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday after a crash in low-visibility conditions during her final race before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, casting immediate doubt over one of the Games’ most anticipated comebacks.
The 41-year-old American lost control while landing a jump on the upper course, in a section with flat light and falling snow. She slid into the safety netting and became briefly tangled. Race organisers cancelled the downhill after three of the first six starters, including Vonn, crashed in the worsening conditions.
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Vonn lay on the snow for several minutes as medical staff attended to her left knee. She eventually stood up and skied cautiously towards the finish line, supporting herself with her poles. She stopped frequently to check her knee and limped into a medical tent before being evacuated by helicopter above the Swiss Alps.
The Crans-Montana downhill had already exposed the course’s limits and conditions were harsh. Austria’s Nina Ortlieb crashed on the track in the same section where Vonn later fell, while Norway’s Marte Monsen hit the nets near the finish and was removed from the hill in a sled, causing early delays. French racer Romane Miradoli, who finished, said the poor visibility made it impossible to see, and the bumpy surface was the main issue.
Vonn shared an update on social media about the crash on Friday, writing:
“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.  This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.  My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it. Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received. Sending my best to @marte.monsen who also had a major crash and injury today. 🙏🏻❤️🩹 Love you guys.  ❤️💪🏻”
Vonn, leading at the first intermediate split, showed her aggressive form as the circuit’s leading downhiller. However, she landed a jump off-balance, raised her left arm and pole to recover, and was spun around, crashing into the nets.
Vonn’s comeback is unprecedented, and her crash comes at a crucial moment. After a partial titanium knee replacement in April 2024, she returned to World Cup racing last season and has dominated downhill racing this winter, winning two races and finishing on the podium in seven of eight starts, including super-G. Her worst result was fourth place.
Vonn’s left knee injury on Friday raises concerns for her career, which has been defined by resilience and records. In 2013, she tore her right knee’s ACL and MCL in a super-G crash at the world championships in Schladming, fracturing her tibial plateau. This led to multiple surgeries and forced her to miss the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Vonn’s latest setback comes a week before the Milan Cortina 2026 opening ceremony. She’s entered the women’s downhill on February 8 at the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, as well as the Super-G and the new team combined event.
Vonn’s return to the top of the downhill standings has defied medical expectations. Orthopaedic specialists involved in her care have never seen an athlete compete at this level with a partial implant like hers, which preserves key ligaments and healthy joint surfaces to maintain power and stability.
Vonn’s condition is being assessed after the crash, but details on her injury and update timeline are not yet available. Her Olympic status depends on these medical assessments and her left knee’s response in the coming days.
