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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
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  • 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
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    Image: AP
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  • 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 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 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
  • 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 Lindsey Vonn suffered a complete rupture of the left anterior cruciate ligament, extensive bone bruising and meniscal damage during a World Cup downhill crash in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland on January 30, 2026 [3][6][10]. She was airlifted to a Swiss hospital, where doctors verified the injury and noted the knee was not swollen [12][13]. Within three days she returned to the slopes for a brief test run, reporting no limp and confidence provided by a supportive brace [3][4].

Vonn Announces Olympic Participation and Event Schedule On February 3 Vonn publicly declared she will start the women’s downhill on February 8 at the Milan‑Cortina Games and also intends to race the super‑G and the new team‑combined event [2][5][7][11]. She emphasized a “do it, end of story” mindset, refusing to leave the Games with regrets [2][5]. Her decision follows a rapid assessment by her medical team and a personal pledge to honor family members who inspired her career [2][5].

Medical Clearance Relies on Brace, Quad Strength and Custom Implant Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Catherine Logan explained that elite skiers can compensate for a torn ACL using quad and hip strength, neuromuscular control and an external brace [1]. Conversely, Dr. Yana Klein warned that high‑speed instability could cause catastrophic damage, urging caution [1]. Vonn’s right knee features a partial titanium implant fabricated by Dr. Martin Roche, which surgeons cleared for competition, while a knee brace stabilizes the injured left side [2][3].

Season Performance and Personal Motivation Bolster Confidence Despite the injury, Vonn leads the 2026 World Cup downhill standings with two victories and three additional podiums, a record‑setting 12 World Cup wins at Cortina, and the best finish of fourth in five other races [2][3][4][5]. At 41, she is the oldest downhill winner in World Cup history and cites her late grandfather and her mother’s ALS battle as driving forces [2][5]. Teammates Bella Wright and Breezy Johnson publicly supported her mental toughness, referencing other athletes who have succeeded with similar injuries [3][4].

Sources

Timeline

2019 – Vonn retires after 82 World Cup wins, saying “my body couldn’t take it anymore,” ending a career that includes 43 downhill victories and three Olympic medals [18].

Dec 2024 – Vonn returns to competition following a partial right‑knee replacement, calling the surgery “life‑changing” and stating it leaves her pain‑free and motivated to chase the Cortina course [18].

Dec 12, 2025 – Vonn secures a 1.16‑second lead in the St. Moritz World Cup downhill, hits a top speed of 119 kph and declares her goal of a gold medal at the Milan‑Cortina Games [11].

Dec 13, 2025 – Vonn finishes second in the St. Moritz downhill, explains the gap as a mid‑run jump error and confirms she races with a titanium knee implant after her comeback [10].

Dec 15, 2025 – Vonn wins the opening downhill of the season by 0.98 s, becoming the oldest World Cup winner ever and hinting she may extend her career through the 2026 Olympics [9].

Dec 23, 2025 – Vonn officially qualifies for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, earning a U.S. spot by leading the downhill standings and saying “I will give my absolute best every time I kick out of the starting gate” [14].

Jan 29, 2026 – Vonn confirms she will race the women’s downhill at the 2026 Olympics, calling her age “a big advantage” and framing the event as a chance to finish on her own terms [18].

Jan 30, 2026 – Vonn crashes on a jump in the Crans‑Montana World Cup downhill, tangles in safety nets, is air‑lifted for evaluation, and posts “my Olympic dream is not over” on Instagram while officials cancel the race due to low visibility and multiple crashes [17][13].

Jan 30, 2026 – ISF CEO Urs Lehmann says doctors will decide Vonn’s Olympic eligibility, urging “let’s wait for what the doctors are saying” amid uncertainty about her left‑knee injury [4][13].

Feb 3, 2026 – Vonn announces she has completely ruptured her left ACL, suffered bone bruising and meniscal damage, yet declares her knee feels “stable, strong and not swollen” and vows “I will do it, end of story” [1][3][5][6][15].

Feb 3, 2026 – After three days of therapy, Vonn tests the slopes, reports no limp, uses a brace for confidence and says she will ski at 80 mph to gauge stability before deciding to compete [6].

Feb 4, 2026 – Vonn confirms she will compete at the Olympics despite the torn ACL, relying on a custom titanium knee model cleared by Dr. Martin Roche and a supportive brace [7][15].

Feb 4, 2026 – Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Catherine Logan notes elite athletes can ski with ruptured ACLs using quad and hip strength, while Dr. Yana Klein warns Vonn could “blow out” her knee if she races, highlighting the medical risk [7].

Feb 5, 2026 – Training runs for the Milan‑Cortina alpine events begin, giving Vonn a chance to test her brace and confidence ahead of the downhill start two days later [4][6].

Feb 6, 2026 – The Milan‑Cortina Winter Olympics open, setting the stage for Vonn’s target women’s downhill on Feb 8 [2].

Feb 8, 2026 – The women’s downhill is scheduled at Cortina, the event Vonn aims to start despite her recent injury, with plans also to enter the super‑G and new team‑combined races later in the Games [2][6].

Post‑Feb 8, 2026 – Vonn plans to compete in the super‑G and team‑combined events after the downhill, aiming to finish the Games on her own terms and honor her late grandfather and her mother’s ALS battle [3][6][15].

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