Lindsey Vonn Announces Plan to Race Downhill at 2026 Olympics Despite ACL Tear
Updated (2 articles)
Jan 30 Crash Results in Left‑Knee ACL Tear Vonn suffered a left‑knee anterior cruciate ligament tear during a high‑speed downhill crash on Jan 30 at the Crans‑Montana World Cup, prompting an emergency airlift to a Swiss hospital for evaluation [1][2]. The incident also caused bruising and meniscus damage, and the race was later cancelled because of adverse weather [2]. She was the third skier to fall that day, and the injury revived concerns about her long‑term knee health [1][2].
Vonn Declares Knee Stable and Sets Feb 8 Downhill Goal On Feb 3 Vonn held a media conference, describing her knee as “stable, strong and not swollen,” and announced she will attempt to compete in the women’s downhill on Feb 8 in Cortina [1][2]. She plans to test the joint by skiing at 80 mph the same day to gauge stability before committing to the Olympic start [1]. Vonn emphasized a day‑by‑day mindset, confidence in her body, and a refusal to let doubt deter her final Olympic run [1].
Retirement, 2024 Comeback, and Ligament‑Risk Concerns Highlighted Vonn retired in 2019, returned in Dec 2024 after a partial replacement of her right knee, and is entered in downhill, super‑G, and team combined events for the 2026 Games [2]. Physiotherapist Ben Warburton warned that with the ACL torn, the remaining ligaments and muscles must work overtime, noting Vonn is willing to risk further damage to pursue a gold medal [2]. Her determination underscores a pattern of overcoming severe injuries throughout her career [1][2].
Sources
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1.
Newsweek: Lindsey Vonn Declares She Will Race Despite ACL Tear: Details the Jan 30 crash, Vonn’s Feb 3 announcement of knee stability, her aim to race on Feb 8, and her personal resolve against external doubt .
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2.
BBC: Lindsey Vonn Faces ACL Rupture Yet Aims for 2026 Winter Olympics: Highlights the ACL rupture, airlift to Switzerland, Vonn’s confidence in knee stability, background on her 2019 retirement and 2024 comeback, and physiotherapist warnings about ligament strain .
Timeline
2019 – Lindsey Vonn retires from competitive skiing after a decorated career that includes four World Cup overall titles and three Olympic medals, setting the stage for a future comeback [1][2].
Dec 2024 – Vonn returns to elite competition following a partial replacement of her right knee, registers for the downhill, super‑G and team combined events for the 2026 Winter Games, and signals her intent to chase additional Olympic gold [1][2].
Jan 30, 2026 – While racing the Crans‑Montana World Cup downhill, Vonn loses control on a jump, crashes at high speed, suffers a left‑knee ACL rupture plus bruising and meniscus damage, is airlifted to a Swiss hospital, and the race is later cancelled due to adverse weather [1][2].
Jan 30, 2026 – Physiotherapist Ben Warburton warns that with the ACL torn, Vonn’s remaining knee ligaments and muscles must work overtime, underscoring the medical risk she accepts to pursue Olympic gold [1].
Feb 3, 2026 – At a media conference, Vonn declares her knee “stable, strong and not swollen,” says she feels “very hopeful” and “confident” to start the women’s downhill, vows to test stability by skiing at 80 mph, and adopts a “day‑by‑day” mindset despite the tear [1][2].
Feb 6‑22, 2026 – The 2026 Winter Olympics take place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, providing the stage for Vonn’s planned Olympic return [1][2].
Feb 8, 2026 – Vonn aims to compete in the women’s downhill, likely her final Olympic run, hoping to add to her three‑medal haul and fulfill her goal of racing at 80 mph on the Olympic course [2].