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Lindsey Vonn Commits to Olympic Downhill Run Despite Torn ACL, Brace and Surgeons’ Clearance

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  • Lindsey Vonn holds her left knee after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026.
    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
  • None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Lindsey Vonn at the finish area after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026.
    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
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    Image: AP
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  • Lindsey Vonn is 'confident' she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Lindsey Vonn is 'confident' she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee (Credit: via ap) Source Full size
  • Image caption, Vonn is entered in the downhill, super-G and the team combined event
    Image: BBC
    Image caption, Vonn is entered in the downhill, super-G and the team combined event Source Full size
  • Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week
    Image: BBC
    Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week Source Full size
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    Image: AP
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  • Lindsey Vonn of Team United States inspects the course during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Downhill on January 30, 2026 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Lindsey Vonn of Team United States inspects the course during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Downhill on January 30, 2026 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images) Source Full size
  • Image caption, Vonn is entered in the downhill, super-G and the team combined event
    Image: BBC
    Image caption, Vonn is entered in the downhill, super-G and the team combined event Source Full size
  • Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week
    Image: BBC
    Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week Source Full size
  • Lindsey Vonn of Team United States inspects the course during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Downhill on January 30, 2026 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images)
    Image: Newsweek
    Lindsey Vonn of Team United States inspects the course during the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Women’s Downhill on January 30, 2026 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. (Photo by Millo Moravski/Agence Zoom/Getty Images) Source Full size
  • None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • None
    Image: AP
    Source Full size
  • Lindsey Vonn at the finish area after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026.
    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
  • Lindsey Vonn holds her left knee after crashing, during an alpine ski, women’s World Cup downhill, in Crans Montana, Switzerland, Jan. 30, 2026.
    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
  • Lindsey Vonn is 'confident' she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee
    Image: King5 (Seattle, WA)
    Lindsey Vonn is 'confident' she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee (Credit: via ap) Source Full size

Severe Knee Trauma Confirmed Days Before Opening Ceremony On Jan. 30, Vonn crashed in the Crans‑Montana World Cup downhill, suffering a completely ruptured left‑knee ACL, extensive bone bruising and meniscal damage [1][3][6][12]. She was airlifted to a Swiss hospital, examined, and reported no swelling or limp after three days of therapy [3][4]. The injury occurred exactly one week before the Milan‑Cortina Games open on Feb. 6, intensifying concerns about her ability to start the women’s downhill on Feb. 8 [10][11][13].

Vonn Announces Intent to Compete in All Planned Alpine Events Despite the diagnosis, Vonn publicly declared on Feb. 3‑4 that she will race the Olympic downhill, and also intends to start the super‑G and team‑combined events [2][3][4][5][6][15]. She plans to use a custom knee brace for the downhill on Feb. 8 and relies on confidence in her condition [1][3][4]. Her decision follows a season in which she leads the World Cup downhill standings with two victories and three additional podiums [2][5][8][9][10][15].

Partial Titanium Implant and Brace Provide Mechanical Support Vonn returned to competition in Dec. 2024 with a partial titanium implant in her right knee and now adds an external brace to stabilize the injured left knee [2][4][6][8][9][15]. Surgeons fabricated a 3‑D titanium replica of her left knee, granting clearance to compete while acknowledging performance uncertainty [2]. The brace is intended to offset instability, though experts note any swelling could impair power and edge control [1][3].

Medical Community Divides on Risks and Feasibility Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Catherine Logan says elite skiers can sometimes race with torn ACLs using strong quad and hip control [1]; Dr. Yana Klein warns that high‑speed runs could “blow out” the knee, risking catastrophic damage [1]. Dr. Mia Hagen emphasizes that ACL‑plus‑meniscus tears usually require surgery and lengthy rehab, highlighting the seriousness of Vonn’s injury [1]. Italian federation chief physician Andrea Panzeri cites precedents such as Sofia Goggia’s 2022 silver medal after an ACL sprain, supporting Vonn’s optimism [4][6].

Personal Resolve Fuels Determination to Avoid Regret Vonn cites honoring her late grandfather and supporting her mother battling ALS as motivations to race [2]. She repeatedly stated she will “do it, end of story,” refusing to leave the Games with regrets [2][5]. Teammates Bella Wright and Breezy Johnson praise her mental toughness, reinforcing her belief that she can compete despite the injury [3][4].

Sources

Timeline

2010 – Vonn wins Olympic downhill gold in Vancouver, establishing her as a premier speed skier [7][17].

2019 – Vonn retires after 82 World Cup wins, citing her body could no longer endure the sport [21][1].

Dec 2024 – Vonn returns to competition following a partial right‑knee replacement, debuting with a titanium implant and targeting a comeback [1][21].

Dec 12, 2025 – Vonn posts a 1.16‑second lead in the St. Moritz World Cup downhill, hitting 119 kph and signaling her intent to chase Olympic gold [13].

Dec 13, 2025 – She finishes second after a mid‑run slip, confirming her speed with a 102 kph upper‑section run and reinforcing her podium consistency [12].

Dec 15, 2025 – Vonn wins the opening downhill at St. Moritz by 0.98 s, becoming the oldest World Cup downhill winner in history (men or women) [11].

Dec 23, 2025 – Vonn officially qualifies for the 2026 Milan‑Cortina Olympics, securing a U.S. spot by leading the downhill standings with four podiums in five races [16][23].

Jan 2, 2026 – Austrian slalom silver medalist Katharina Liensberger fractures her tibial plateau, tears meniscus and MCL in training, ending her season and Olympic bid, highlighting a spate of pre‑Games injuries [10].

Jan 21, 2026 – Breezy Johnson, a former 2022 crash victim, returns to Cortina after multiple knee and back surgeries, aiming for redemption alongside Vonn and Shiffrin [6].

Jan 29, 2026 – Vonn confirms she will start the women’s downhill at the Milan‑Cortina Games, emphasizing her age as an advantage and her desire to finish on her own terms [21].

Jan 30, 2026 – Vonn crashes on a jump in the Crans‑Montana World Cup downhill, tangles in safety nets, suffers a left‑knee injury, is airlifted to a Swiss hospital, and posts “my Olympic dream is not over” on Instagram [14][15][18][19][9].

Jan 30, 2026 – The Crans‑Montana downhill is cancelled after Vonn’s crash and earlier falls by Nina Ortlieb and Marte Monsen, with officials citing low visibility and safety concerns [2][4][15].

Jan 30, 2026 – FIS CEO Urs Lehmann states that Vonn’s Olympic participation will depend on doctors’ assessments, underscoring uncertainty ahead of the Games [4][9][15].

Feb 3, 2026 – Vonn tells reporters her knee feels “stable, strong and not swollen,” declares she is “very hopeful” to race, and vows to compete despite the ACL tear [5][1].

Feb 3, 2026 – She confirms a complete ACL rupture, bone bruising and meniscal damage but asserts “I will do it, end of story,” planning to ski the downhill, super‑G and team‑combined events [3][7][17].

Feb 4, 2026 – Vonn decides to race at Milan‑Cortina, relying on a brace; orthopedic surgeon Dr. Catherine Logan notes elite athletes can ski with a ruptured ACL, while Dr. Yana Klein warns of a possible “blow out” [8].

Feb 5, 2026 – Training runs for the alpine events begin in Cortina, giving Vonn a final chance to test her knee before competition [4].

Feb 6, 2026 – The 2026 Winter Olympics open in Milan, with alpine skiing slated to start in Cortina later in the week [2][4].

Feb 8, 2026 – The women’s downhill is scheduled, Vonn’s target event, with her aiming to start despite the recent injury [2][4][9].

Feb 2026 (later weeks) – Vonn also plans to enter the super‑G and the new two‑person team‑combined event, completing her Olympic program if cleared [3][7][17].

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