Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Final Pre‑Olympic Downhill, Race Cancelled, Olympic Hope Remains

Updated 2026-01-30 17:26:35+00:00 (5 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: BBC

Image caption, Vonn will have a short recovery time ahead of the Winter Olympics next week Source Full size

Crash Occurs on Swiss Downhill Course Amid Poor Visibility Lindsey Vonn lost control on a jump at the World Cup downhill in Crans‑Montana, collided with safety netting and suffered a left‑knee injury; medics attended her on‑course and she was airlifted to a hospital for evaluation [1][2][3][4][5]. The crash was the third that morning, following Nina Ortlieb and Marte Monsen, and low visibility prompted officials to cancel the remainder of the race [1][4][5]. The cancellation eliminated a key pre‑Olympic test run for athletes just one week before the Milan‑Cortina Games [1][2][5].

Vonn Announces Injury and Determination via Instagram In an Instagram post, Vonn posted a photo of her injured knee, confirmed the left‑knee trauma, and said she is consulting doctors and her team for further tests [1][2][3][4][5]. She described the outcome as “very difficult” but asserted that her Olympic dream is not over and emphasized her history of comebacks [1][2][3][4][5]. The post also thanked supporters and promised updates once medical assessments are complete [1][2][3][4][5].

Season Success Highlights Vonn’s Competitive Viability Returning after a six‑year hiatus, Vonn races with a partial titanium implant in her right knee and has claimed two World Cup downhill victories, three additional podiums, and a podium finish in seven of eight events this season [1][2][3][4][5]. She leads the women’s downhilling circuit despite the implant and previously won the 2010 Olympic downhill gold and a 2025 St Moritz World Cup race [1][5]. Her record includes 12 World Cup wins at Cortina d’Ampezzo, the most by any woman [3][4].

ISF Chief Stresses Need for Medical Clearance International Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann said he has spoken with Vonn but does not yet know the injury’s severity, and that any Olympic participation will depend on doctors’ assessments [1][4]. He urged patience, noting that the federation will wait for official medical reports before making a decision [1][4].

Olympic Schedule Leaves Narrow Recovery Window The women’s downhill at the Milan‑Cortina Games is slated for 8 February, with training runs beginning 5 February, giving Vonn less than a week to recover from the crash [1][5]. Vonn had also planned a final pre‑Olympic super‑G on Saturday, which was canceled along with the downhill event [1][4][5]. Her ability to compete will hinge on the forthcoming medical evaluation and clearance [1][4].

Sources

Timeline

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

2022 – Vonn misses the Beijing Winter Games after tearing her ACL, marking a major setback in her career and prompting a long rehabilitation [1].

Dec 2025 – Vonn captures the World Cup downhill at St Moritz, becoming the oldest woman ever to win a downhill race and proving the effectiveness of her partial knee‑replacement surgery performed earlier that year [1].

2025 season – Vonn leads the downhill circuit with two victories, three additional podiums in five World Cup events, and a podium finish in seven of eight races, all while racing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee [3][4][5].

Jan 30, 2026 – Vonn loses control on a jump in the Crans‑Montana World Cup downhill, collides with safety netting, suffers a left‑knee injury and is airlifted to a hospital for evaluation, exactly one week before the Milan‑Cortina opening ceremony [1][2][3][4][5].

Jan 30, 2026 – Austria’s Nina Ortlieb and Norway’s Marte Monsen also crash in the same morning, with Monsen sustaining a bloodied face after hitting the side netting, underscoring the hazardous conditions that day [4].

Jan 30, 2026 – Race officials cancel the remainder of the downhill after Vonn’s crash and worsening visibility, ending the final pre‑Olympic test for athletes [1][2][3][4][5].

Jan 30, 2026 – Vonn posts on Instagram that she “crashed today… injured my left knee,” thanks supporters, declares “my Olympic dream is not over,” and says she is consulting doctors and her team about recovery [2][3][4][5].

Jan 30, 2026 – International Ski and Snowboard Federation chief Urs Lehmann tells reporters he will wait for doctors’ assessments before deciding Vonn’s Olympic eligibility, emphasizing uncertainty over her participation [2][4].

Jan 31, 2026 (planned) – Vonn had been scheduled to run a final pre‑Olympic super‑G in Crans‑Montana, which is canceled following the downhill incident and safety concerns [3][5].

Feb 5, 2026 – Training runs for the Milan‑Cortina Winter Games begin, giving athletes a final chance to familiarize themselves with Olympic courses before the opening ceremony [2].

Feb 6, 2026 – The 2026 Winter Olympics open in Milan‑Cortina, marking the start of the Games that Vonn hopes to compete in despite her recent injury [1].

Feb 8, 2026 – The women’s downhill event is slated for February 8, the race Vonn targeted for a possible comeback medal, while she also eyes the super‑G and the new team combined event later in the program [1][2].