Lindsey Vonn Declares She Will Compete in 2026 Olympic Downhill After ACL Rupture
Updated (4 articles)
Severe Knee Trauma Confirmed in Swiss Crash On February 1, 2026 Vonn fell during a World Cup downhill in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland, suffering a complete rupture of the left‑knee ACL, extensive bone bruising and meniscal damage [1][2][3]. She was airlifted to a hospital where doctors evaluated the injury and cleared her to continue training [1][3]. The crash also forced the cancellation of the race due to low visibility and safety‑net entanglement [4].
Surgeons Provide Custom Titanium Knee Clearance Florida orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Martin Roche fabricated a 3‑D titanium replica of Vonn’s right knee, enabling a partial titanium implant that has been in use since her 2020 comeback [1]. Medical teams reviewed the implant and the new ACL injury, granting Vonn clearance to race despite uncertainty about performance [1][3]. Vonn’s left knee remains without the implant, relying on a brace for stability during training [2].
Olympic Schedule Targets Downhill, Super‑G, and Team Combined Vonn plans to start the women’s downhill on February 8, two days after the opening ceremony, and also aims to compete in the super‑G and the inaugural team combined event [2][3]. She will train on Thursday to fine‑tune her line and assess brace comfort [2]. The International Ski Federation will make a final eligibility decision after further medical review [4].
World Cup Form Places Her at the Top of Downhill Rankings At 41, Vonn leads the current World Cup downhill standings with two victories and three additional podiums in five races this season [1][2][4]. She became the oldest downhill winner ever and holds a record 12 World Cup wins at Cortina [2][4]. Her recent performances reinforce confidence in her ability to contend for medals despite the injury [1].
Peers and Physicians Cite Precedents for Competing with ACL Tears Teammates Bella Wright and Breezy Johnson praised Vonn’s mental toughness and noted that many elite skiers race without intact ACLs [2][3]. Italian federation chief physician Andrea Panzeri referenced Sofia Goggia’s 2022 silver medal and Flora Tabanelli’s postponed surgery as examples of successful competition after similar injuries [2][3].
Sources
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1.
CNN: Lindsey Vonn vows to race in 2026 Olympic downhill despite ruptured ACL – Highlights Vonn’s complete ACL rupture, titanium knee model, her determination, and her lead in the World Cup downhill standings .
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2.
AP: Lindsey Vonn eyes Olympic start despite ruptured ACL – Details the injury timeline, three days of therapy, her intent to enter multiple events, and peer/physician support for racing with a torn ACL .
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3.
King5: Lindsey Vonn says she can race at Milan‑Cortina despite ruptured ACL – Emphasizes Vonn’s confidence, crash specifics, titanium implant comeback, and medical precedents cited by federation officials .
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4.
AP (Jan 30): Lindsey Vonn’s Pre‑Olympic Crash Leaves Knee Injury, Olympic Hope Intact – Reports the crash, initial medical response, ISF chief’s comments on eligibility, and Vonn’s season performance prior to injury .
Timeline
2010 – Vonn wins Olympic downhill gold in Vancouver, establishing her as a premier downhill racer and setting a benchmark for future Olympic aspirations[2].
2013 – Vonn tears her right knee, causing her to miss the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and highlighting her history of severe injuries and comebacks[2].
2019 – Vonn endures a series of injuries that test her resilience, reinforcing her reputation for overcoming setbacks[2].
2020‑2026 – Vonn returns after a six‑year hiatus, racing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee; she leads the 2026 World Cup downhill standings with two wins and multiple podiums, becoming the oldest downhill winner ever[3][2].
Jan 30, 2026 – Vonn crashes in the final pre‑Olympic World Cup downhill in Crans‑Montana, Switzerland, suffering a left‑knee ACL rupture, bone bruising and meniscal damage; the race is cancelled due to the crash and low visibility, she posts on Instagram that her Olympic dream “is not over,” and ISF chief Urs Lehmann says doctors will decide her eligibility[3].
Feb 3, 2026 – After three days of therapy and a brace‑supported test run, Vonn says the knee brace gives her confidence and she will compete in the women’s downhill, super‑G and team‑combined events at Milan‑Cortina[2].
Feb 3, 2026 – Vonn confirms a complete ACL rupture and meniscal damage, yet announces she will ski the Sunday downhill on her injured left knee and a right knee rebuilt with titanium, emphasizing “do it, end of story” and refusing to leave the Games with regrets[1].
Feb 3, 2026 – Surgeons clear Vonn using a custom 3‑D titanium knee model fabricated by Dr. Martin Roche, and medical experts cite precedents of elite skiers competing with torn ACLs, reinforcing her belief she can race despite the injury[1][4].
Feb 3, 2026 – Teammates Bella Wright and Breezy Johnson praise Vonn’s mental strength and note that many athletes compete without intact ACLs, adding peer support to her decision to race[2][4].
Feb 8, 2026 – Vonn is scheduled to start the women’s downhill at the Milan‑Cortina Games, the first Olympic event she aims to ski despite her recent injury, with subsequent plans to enter the super‑G and the new team‑combined races later in the Games[3][2].
External resources (3 links)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/BtWBLQsnKXD/ (cited 1 times)
- https://www.instagram.com/p/DUI-ajQDTCc/ (cited 1 times)