Credited from: NPR
Lindsey Vonn crashed during her final downhill World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just a week before the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. After losing control upon landing a jump, Vonn skidded into the safety nets. Medical staff quickly attended to her on the slope, and observers noticed her limping and favoring her left knee as she made her way down to the medical tent. Her crash led to the cancellation of the race due to adverse conditions and safety concerns, as poor visibility had already caused issues for other racers earlier in the event, according to CBS News, India Times, and NPR.
Following the crash, Vonn took to social media to express optimism, stating, "My Olympic dream is not over," despite showing visible discomfort and needing an airlift for medical evaluation. Vonn had recently completed a remarkable comeback season after undergoing a partial knee replacement in 2024, recording seven podium finishes and two victories this season alone. Given her consistent performances, she was regarded as a top medal hope for Team USA heading into the Olympics, according to NPR, Le Monde, and CBS News.
The incident raises questions about her physical condition ahead of her first Olympic event, the women's downhill scheduled for February 8. Although Vonn is determined to compete, she is currently undergoing medical evaluations and discussions with her team about her next steps. Given her history of serious knee injuries that forced her retirement in 2019, this latest setback adds to the scrutiny surrounding her Olympic readiness, according to India Times and Le Monde.