American skiing champion Lindsey Vonn was involved in a serious crash during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, raising concerns about her participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy, which begin next week.
The 41-year-old former Olympic champion lost control on a turn and slid into safety netting. While she was able to ski to the finish line, she appeared to be in significant discomfort with a possible injury to her left knee. Vonn was subsequently airlifted from the course for medical evaluation.
In a later update, Vonn stated that her Olympic dream is “not over,” signaling her intent to compete if her injuries permit.
The US ski federation confirmed her injury was being assessed. Vonn’s coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, told Austrian television, “She’s feeling a bit of pain in the left foot and left knee, but I’m feeling positive.”
The race was ultimately canceled after Vonn’s accident. She was one of three racers among the first six to crash. The International Ski Federation (FIS) cited “growing safety concerns” and “adverse conditions” as the reason for the cancellation. Peter Gerdol, the Women’s World Cup race director, explained that worsening visibility prevented athletes from seeing the race line properly, creating an unacceptably high-risk situation.
This incident occurs during a remarkable comeback season for Vonn, who retired in 2019 but returned to the sport at age 40. She has a long history of significant injuries, including torn ligaments and broken bones, throughout her decorated career.
