American skiing great Lindsey Vonn has sustained a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries following a heavy crash that ended her Olympic campaign in the women’s downhill on Sunday.
The injury occurred during her run when, as she later explained, she was “5 inches too tight” on her line and her right arm hooked inside a gate, twisting her body around. Her cries of pain were audible on the broadcast, and she was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso where her family is at her bedside.
Vonn had taken to the start gate while managing a ruptured ACL suffered in a crash at the end of January, just a week prior to the Olympic race. In an Instagram post, she stated definitively that this existing knee injury and past injuries had “nothing to do with my crash whatsoever,” as outlined by The Guardian.
The 41-year-old said she had “no regrets” about her decision to race, calling it a personal victory just to have a chance to win, while acknowledging ski racing is “an incredibly dangerous sport”.
Her choice to compete drew criticism from some on social media, but was supported by fellow competitors who understand the risks. US teammate Keely Cashman said those blaming the ACL were “totally incorrect,” explaining that hooking a gate at high speed can twist a skier’s body regardless of other injuries.
Vonn had been in the midst of a remarkable comeback, returning from a six-year retirement in 2025 after knee replacement surgery. Prior to her ACL rupture, she had reached the podium in all five World Cup downhill races she entered this season, including two wins.
Italy’s Federica Brignone defended Vonn’s autonomy, stating, “It’s her choice… It’s not up to others.” Another US teammate, Kyle Negomir, said Vonn, as “the best speed skier to ever do this sport,” should be allowed to take the risk.
However, her father, former competitive skier Alan Kildow, believes her career should now end. “She’s 41 years old, and this is the end of her career,” he said. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”
