Lindsey Vonn faced a worrying moment late Friday when she crashed during her final downhill World Cup race before the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Competing in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, the American ski star lost control after landing a jump and slid into the safety nets on the upper section of the course. Race officials and medical staff attended to her on the slope for several minutes before she was airlifted for precautionary medical checks. Despite visible discomfort, Vonn was able to stand and carefully ski toward the finish area, pausing along the way and favoring her left knee. Due to low visibility and difficult racing conditions, organizers canceled the remainder of the race following the incident. The update was reported by international ski racing officials and covered by major sports media outlets monitoring the World Cup circuit.
Lindsey Vonn’s World Cup Crash Raises Questions Ahead of Milan Cortina Olympics
The incident occurred just one week before the opening of the Milan-Cortina Games, underscoring the significance of the crash’s timing. Vonn was the third athlete to fall during the race, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by competitors that day. While no official diagnosis was immediately released, the decision to airlift her from the course was described by race officials as a standard safety measure. Coverage of the event emphasized that Vonn remained conscious and responsive throughout, and medical evaluations were ongoing following her transport from the venue.
Lindsey Vonn’s Legendary Career and Historic Achievements in Alpine Skiing
Lindsey Caroline Vonn, born October 18, 1984, is one of the most accomplished alpine ski racers in history. According to official International Ski Federation records and Olympic profiles, she won four overall World Cup championships and claimed a record 20 crystal globe titles across disciplines. Her gold medal in the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics marked the first Olympic downhill victory by an American woman. Over her career, Vonn amassed 84 World Cup race wins, placing her among the most successful skiers ever, alongside Mikaela Shiffrin and Ingemar Stenmark.
Vonn’s influence extends beyond podium finishes. She is one of only six women to win World Cup races in all five alpine disciplines and earned numerous honors, including the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year award and recognition from the U.S. Olympic Committee. After retiring in 2019 due to injuries, she remained involved in the sport as a broadcaster and analyst. Her announcement in November 2024 confirming a return to competitive skiing marked a new chapter in a career defined by resilience, excellence, and lasting impact on American winter sports.