Quick Read
- Lindsey Vonn crashed during the women’s Olympic downhill at Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 8, 2026.
- She sustained a fractured left leg and underwent orthopedic surgery.
- Vonn was airlifted from the course after the incident, her airbag inflated.
- The crash marked the end of her improbable comeback attempt after a partial knee replacement in 2024 and a torn ACL just a week prior.
- Fellow American Breezy Johnson won gold in the same event.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO (Azat TV) – Alpine skiing icon Lindsey Vonn’s remarkable Olympic comeback reached a devastating conclusion on Sunday, February 8, 2026, as she crashed hard during the women’s downhill event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Games. The incident on the challenging Olympia Delle Tofane course resulted in a fractured left leg, for which she underwent orthopedic surgery, bringing an abrupt and poignant end to her storied career.
Vonn, starting 13th in a field of 36 competitors, clipped a course gate with her right shoulder almost immediately after pushing out of the gate, sending her spiraling over a jump. Her screams were audible on camera as she remained prone on the snow, prompting a halt to the event. Medical staff quickly attended to her before she was airlifted from the mountain by helicopter, an all too familiar scene after she tore her ACL just a week prior in Switzerland.
Devastating Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The crash occurred on a course deeply significant to Vonn, Cortina d’Ampezzo being the site of her first World Cup podium and numerous subsequent victories, earning her the moniker ‘Queen of Cortina.’ The crowd below watched in stunned silence as medical personnel worked on the American skier. Her mandatory airbag, worn under her race suit, did inflate during the fall, according to the Associated Press.
Following initial treatment at Cortina’s Codivilla Putti Hospital, Vonn was airlifted to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, where she underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture in her left leg, as confirmed by a hospital statement. U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced that Vonn ‘sustained an injury, but is in stable condition.’
The incident cast a pall over the event, even as fellow American Breezy Johnson, who had posted the fastest time, went on to win gold, securing Team USA’s first medal of the Games. Johnson and other competitors, including Jackie Wiles who finished fourth, expressed deep concern for Vonn. ‘It sucks for her,’ Wiles stated, adding, ‘It doesn’t change anything about her legacy. She’s a fighter, and that’s the way that she’s going to go out and ski every time.’ International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry also extended well wishes, calling Vonn ‘an incredible inspiration.’
Lindsey Vonn’s Unprecedented Comeback Journey
Vonn’s attempt to return to Olympic competition was nothing short of extraordinary. After retiring in 2019 due to persistent pain and numerous injuries throughout her career, she underwent a partial knee replacement in 2024. The procedure unexpectedly alleviated her debilitating pain, sparking the idea of an unprecedented comeback.
“I really thought when I retired in 2019, that was it,” Vonn told reporters recently. “But then after the replacement, I knew things were really different. My body felt so good, and I just kind of kept pushing myself further and further.” The decision to target the 2026 Cortina Games, a venue with deep personal significance, solidified her resolve.
Despite initial criticism regarding her motivations, Vonn steadily climbed World Cup standings, securing two victories and establishing herself as a legitimate medal contender. Her journey was further complicated just a week before the Olympics when she suffered a completely torn left ACL during a crash in Switzerland. Undeterred, Vonn announced her decision to compete despite the injury, posting videos of herself training on the ACL-less knee and defying expectations. ‘As long as there’s a chance, I will try,’ she declared at the time.
A Legacy Forged in Resilience and Records
Vonn’s career has been defined by both unparalleled success and a relentless battle against injury. She holds the record for the most World Cup victories by any woman in history and has won three Olympic medals, including a downhill gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Her resilience was evident throughout her career, notably competing in the 2006 Turin Olympics less than 48 hours after a severe downhill training fall.
International Ski and Snowboard Federation President Johan Eliasch remarked on the crash, calling it ‘tragic, but it’s ski racing,’ acknowledging the inherent risks of the sport. Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, echoed the sentiment, telling NBC, ‘She just dared greatly. She put it all out there. It’s really hard to see, we just hope she’s OK.’
The dramatic conclusion to Lindsey Vonn’s comeback attempt at the 2026 Winter Olympics underscores not only the extreme physical demands of elite Alpine skiing but also Vonn’s singular determination to compete at the highest level, even against overwhelming odds. Her final race, while ending in injury, solidifies her legacy as one of the sport’s most tenacious and inspiring athletes, perpetually pushing the boundaries of what is possible.