Lindsey Vonn Suffers Crash Before Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

Lindsey Vonn’s hopes for the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics took a concerning turn on January 30, 2026, when she crashed during her last downhill race before the Games. In a shocking incident, the celebrated skier lost control while landing a jump and became ensnared in safety nets on the upper section of the course.

The Incident: What Happened on the Slopes?

• Date and Location: January 30, 2026, during a World Cup downhill race.
• Situation: Vonn lost control right after landing a jump, which led her to crash into the safety nets.
• Immediate Aftermath:
  • Vonn was seen limping and avoiding putting weight on her left knee as she received medical assistance.
  • After briefly regrouping, she attempted to regain her composure by clicking her skis back on before checking her injured knee.

Vonn’s Response

Upon reaching the finish area, she walked gingerly into a medical tent. Prior to doing so, Vonn shared an emotional moment with her teammate, Jacquelin Wiles, who was leading the race before it was called off due to safety concerns.

Olympic Aspirations on Hold

Upcoming Olympic Schedule

• First Event: Women’s downhill scheduled for February 8, 2026.
• Other Events: Vonn planned to compete in the Super-G and the new team combined event at the Milan Games.

Concerns Before the Games

The race was ultimately canceled after three out of the first six racers crashed, raising alarms about course safety.

Lindsey Vonn’s Season Overview

• Current Status: Despite this setback, Vonn has had an impressive season, leading the circuit’s downhill standings with two victories and three podium finishes.
• Injury History: Vonn returned last season after undergoing a partial right knee titanium replacement.

Details of the Crash

• Vonn’s Performance: She had registered the fastest time at the first checkpoint before her accident.
• Sequence of Events:
  1. Vonn attempted to regain her balance by lifting her left arm and pole but was unable to control her descent.
  2. She spun out of control and crashed into safety nets, becoming the sixth racer to start the ill-fated run.

Other racers involved:

• Nina Ortlieb (Austria) crashed early in the race.
• Marte Monsen (Norway) hit the nets just before the finish.

Visibility Issues

Romane Miradoli from France, one of the few who completed her run, noted that poor visibility was a significant issue due to falling snow, impacting the racers’ performance. She expressed concerns over the safety conditions by stating:

“You can’t see, and it’s bumpy everywhere.”

Vonn’s Resilience: A Career Defined by Comebacks

Lindsey Vonn has faced numerous challenges throughout her career, including severe injuries. One of her most significant crashes was during the 2013 World Championships in Schladming, Austria, where she suffered a catastrophic right knee injury that nearly ended her career.

Her ability to rebound from injuries has become a testament to her resilience and determination to compete at the highest level in skiing.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead

As the anticipation builds for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Vonn’s recovery will be closely monitored by fans and competitors alike. The ski community awaits updates with hope that she will overcome this recent setback.

For ongoing coverage of Lindsey Vonn’s journey and Olympic events, follow reliable news sources like NBC Sports.