Lindsey Vonn Says Olympic Dream Is Not Over After Knee Injury Crash

Lindsey Vonn is used to hard landings. What happened in Switzerland last week was another one, and, this time, it arrived just days before the Milano Cortina Olympics are set to begin.

After crashing during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, the ski legend injured her left knee and was airlifted to a hospital for evaluation. 

Within hours, she posted a message that sounded exactly like Lindsey. Direct, stubborn, and hopeful.

“My Olympic dream is not over,” she wrote.

The Fall at Crans-Montana

Lindsey Vonn’s knee injury unfolded in tough conditions. Visibility was poor, the snow was unpredictable, and several racers struggled on the course before Lindsey even left the gate.

She was leading through the opening section, looking every bit like the athlete who has dominated downhill this season. 

Coming out of a jump, however, she lost balance, fought to stay upright, and eventually slid into the safety netting at high speed.

Lindsey managed to stand and ski down the rest of the course, but she clearly favored her left leg. Teammates and medical staff met her at the finish, and, soon after, she was flown out for tests.

Lindsey Vonn Crash Update

Doctors are still assessing the full extent of the Lindsey Vonn knee injury. Early reports are focusing on pain and instability, but no final decision about her Olympic participation has been announced.

Lindsey said she’ll share more information once she has clear answers from her medical team. For now, she’s resting, consulting specialists, and weighing the risks of racing so soon.

Her online message was a mix of disappointment and determination. She thanked her fans for the support and ended with a familiar refrain: it’s not over ‘til it’s over.

A Comeback Built on Stubborn Hope

The timing is what makes this so emotional. Lindsey retired in 2019 after years of injuries, then underwent a partial knee replacement in 2024 simply to live without daily pain.

Feeling stronger than expected, she launched an improbable return and quickly found podium form again. This season, she’s been one of the most consistent downhill racers on the circuit, a remarkable feat at 41.

Cortina has always been part of her story, too. It’s where she earned her first World Cup podium and where many of her biggest wins followed. 

Racing at the Milano Cortina Olympics would feel like a homecoming written over the span of two decades.

The Narrow Road to the Winter Olympics Downhill

The calendar leaves little room to breathe. The opening ceremony is days away, and the Winter Olympics downhill event follows almost immediately.

That means decisions will have to happen fast. Training runs, strength tests, and medical imaging will determine whether her knee can handle Olympic speeds.

Still, Lindsey has built a career on coming back from worse. Torn ligaments, fractures, and long rehabs never closed the door for long. This moment will test that pattern again.

For now, fans are waiting, just like Lindsey, one update at a time. There’s always hope, as long as it’s tempered with reason. But, we all know that Olympic champions rarely leave without trying the hill one more time. 

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