cortina d’Ampezzo, italy – A remarkable comeback story took a painful turn Tuesday at the winter Olympics, as American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn suffered a crash during a downhill run. The 2010 Olympic gold medalist, who underwent partial knee replacement surgery in 2024 and had been battling ongoing knee pain, was transported to a local hospital following the incident, temporarily halting competition.
Lindsey Vonn’s courageous attempt to compete in the Winter Olympics came to a heartbreaking end Tuesday, February 6th, after a crash during a downhill run in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 2010 Olympic champion had been battling through significant knee pain following a recent injury, and her participation in the Games was already a remarkable feat of determination.
Fighting for a Spot
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Vonn had been working tirelessly with a team of two physical therapists – Lindsay Winninger and Andi Mitterfellner – and fitness trainer Peter Meliessnig to prepare for the Olympic downhill. The American underwent a partial knee replacement in 2024, utilizing titanium components, and made a stunning return to professional competition last season after nearly six years away from the sport. Despite tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, Vonn announced on Tuesday, February 3rd, that she would compete in the downhill event.
Fans breathed a sigh of relief as she completed Friday’s training run without apparent discomfort, finishing with a time of 1:40.33. Her return to the slopes was already inspiring, and the hope was that she could contend for a medal.
Lindsey Vonn during trainingPAP/EPA/Jean-Christophe Bott
Brignone Sets the Early Pace
The downhill competition began steadily with a run from Switzerland’s Malorie Blanc, clocking in at 1:38.77. Austria’s Ariane Raedler quickly followed, improving the time to 1:37.20. Then, Italy’s Federica Brignone, a local favorite, took to the course.
Brignone, the silver medalist in giant slalom at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, was returning from a serious injury sustained in March. While not considered a top contender for a medal on home snow due to her recovery, she delivered a solid run, finishing in 1:37.29.
Federica BrignonePAP/EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
Johnson Sets the Pace, Then Tragedy Strikes
Moments after Brignone’s run, American Breezy Johnson delivered a stunning performance. Encouraged by her coach to push for maximum speed, the Wyoming native attacked the course and finished with a blazing time of 1:36.10.
Breezy JohnsonPAP/EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
Germany’s Emma Aicher followed closely, finishing just four-hundredths of a second behind Johnson with a time of 1:36.14.
Vonn’s Run Ends in Injury
All eyes then turned to Lindsey Vonn, wearing bib number 13. Starting with determination, she lost control after a few seconds, hitting a gate and crashing. The American legend lay on the course, visibly in pain, sending a shockwave through the crowd and fellow competitors.
Vonn was airlifted to a local hospital following the incident, and the race was temporarily suspended. The extent of her injuries remains unknown.
Lindsey Vonn being taken to the hospitalPAP/EPA/JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT
