‘My Olympic Dream Is Not Over’ — Lindsey Vonn Refuses to Quit After Pre-Olympic Knee Injury

With the Milan Winter Olympics only a week away, American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has shared an injury update following a dramatic crash during the women’s downhill World Cup on the challenging Mont Lachaux course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

At 41, Vonn returned to the slopes for the 2024-25 season, determined to make her final Olympic appearance unforgettable.

Lindsey Vonn’s Message Ahead Of the Milan Olympics

This season, Vonn has dazzled fans with her remarkable form, most recently winning the women’s downhill at Zauchensee, Austria, on January 10, 2026 – her 84th career World Cup triumph.

The Crans-Montana race was called off after just six skiers braved the course, as blinding snowfall and a string of crashes – including Vonn’s as the third to fall – made conditions treacherous. Wearing the coveted red bib as discipline leader, Vonn’s run ended abruptly when a rough landing sent her hurtling into the safety nets only seconds after she launched down Mont Lachaux.

Vonn lay on the snow for several tense minutes, clutching her left knee in clear pain. Later, she turned to Instagram to update fans on her Olympic hopes:

“I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams. This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it,” she wrote.

Vonn also expressed heartfelt gratitude to the medical team who rushed to her aid after the crash. She was later airlifted to the hospital for further care.

“Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received. Sending my best to @marte.monsen who also had a major crash and injury today. 🙏🏻❤️‍🩹Love you guys. ❤️💪🏻”

MORE: Lindsey Vonn Crashes at Crans-Montana: What Went Wrong in Her Final Olympic Downhill

Vonn is slated to race in the women’s downhill on February 8 at this year’s Games, with plans to also take on the super-G and the combined team competition. In 2019, Vonn retired from the sport due to multiple injuries, including multiple ACL and MCL tears (notably right knee in 2013 Worlds and 2014), tibial plateau fractures (2018-19 with three surgeries), humerus fracture (2016-17), and knee fractures (2013).

Vonn’s knee surgery ahead of her comeback to the sport was crucial, as she tore her LCL with tibial plateau fractures during a 2018-19 training crash (three surgeries), leading to her initial retirement.