Lindsey Vonn Suffers Left Knee Injury in Pre‑Olympic Crash, Olympic Future Uncertain

Updated 2026-01-30 17:26:35+00:00 (6 articles)

Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)

Lindsey Vonn holds her left knee after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026. (Credit: Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) Source Full size
Image: BBC

Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Lindsey Vonn at the finish area after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026. (Credit: (Alessandro Della Valle/Keystone via AP)) Source Full size
Image: BBC

Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Lindsey Vonn at the finish area after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026. (Credit: (Alessandro Della Valle/Keystone via AP)) Source Full size
Image: WBNS (Columbus, OH)

Lindsey Vonn holds her left knee after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026. (Credit: Jean-Christophe Bott/Keystone via AP) Source Full size

Crash on Jan 30 at Crans‑Montana Leaves Vonn Injured On Friday, Jan 30 2026, Vonn crashed during a World Cup downhill in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland. She lost control after a jump, collided with safety netting and sustained a left‑knee injury [1][2][5][6]. Medics treated her on the course and she was airlifted to a hospital for evaluation [1][5]. The race, already hampered by low visibility and falling snow, was halted and later cancelled after her and earlier crashes [1][2][4][6].

Vonn’s Comeback Fueled by Titanium Knee Implant and Wins Vonn returned to competition at age 40 after a six‑year hiatus and a partial knee replacement [1][3][4]. She now races with a partial titanium implant in her right knee [2][3][4]. This season she has claimed two World Cup downhill victories, three additional podiums and a podium finish in seven of eight starts, making her the circuit’s leading downhiller [1][2][3][4]. Her performance positions her as a top contender for Milan‑Cortina [1][5].

Olympic Downhill Set for Feb 8 Amid Recovery Deadline The women’s downhill at the Milan‑Cortina Games is scheduled for Feb 8, with super‑G and the new team combined event also on her agenda [1][5][4]. Training runs begin Feb 5, one day before the opening ceremony on Feb 6 [1][5]. Vonn’s crash occurred exactly one week before the opening, compressing her recovery window [4][6].

Doctors and FIS Await Verdict on Vonn’s Olympic Eligibility Vonn posted on Instagram that she is consulting doctors and remains hopeful that her “Olympic dream is not over” [1][4][6]. International Ski and Snowboard Federation chief Urs Lehmann said officials will wait for medical assessments before determining her eligibility [1][4][6]. No final decision has been announced, leaving her participation uncertain [1][6].

Sources

Timeline

2010 – Lindsey Vonn wins the Olympic downhill gold medal in Vancouver, establishing her as a premier alpine racer and setting a benchmark for future Olympic aspirations [1].

2022 – Vonn misses the Beijing Winter Olympics after tearing her ACL, interrupting her competitive career and prompting a later comeback plan [1].

Dec 2025 – Vonn captures the World Cup downhill title in St Moritz, becoming the oldest woman ever to win a downhill race and confirming her elite form ahead of the 2026 Games [1].

2025 season – After a six‑year hiatus and a partial knee replacement, Vonn returns with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, amassing two World Cup victories, three additional podiums and a podium finish in seven of eight starts, positioning herself as the circuit’s leading downhiller [3][4][5][6].

Jan 30, 2026 – While racing the World Cup downhill in Crans‑Montana, Vonn loses control on a jump, collides with safety netting, sustains a left‑knee injury and is airlifted to hospital; she posts on Instagram “my Olympic dream is not over” and vows a comeback [1][2][3][4][5][6].

Jan 30, 2026 – The race is halted and later cancelled after Vonn becomes the third skier to crash that morning, following earlier falls by Austria’s Nina Ortlieb and Norway’s Marte Monsen, as low visibility and falling snow make conditions unsafe [1][4][6].

Jan 30, 2026 – FIS CEO Urs Lehmann tells reporters “Let’s wait for what the doctors are saying,” emphasizing that Vonn’s Olympic participation will depend on medical assessment [2][4][6].

Feb 5, 2026 – Official training runs for the women’s downhill at the Milan‑Cortina Games commence, giving athletes a final chance to fine‑tune their lines before competition [2].

Feb 6, 2026 – The 2026 Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics open, marking the start of the Games just one week after Vonn’s crash [1].

Feb 8, 2026 – The women’s downhill event is scheduled, the race Vonn targeted for a possible Olympic medal, while she also plans to enter the super‑G and the new team combined event if cleared medically [1][2][4][5].

Feb 2026 (post‑downhill) – Vonn hopes to compete in the super‑G and team combined events, leveraging her record 12 World Cup wins at Cortina d’Ampezzo as a historic advantage for the home‑nation venue [5].