Mikaela Shiffrin sent her prayers and best regards to Lindsey Vonn following the 41-year-old’s unfortunate crash in the women’s Downhill event at the Winter Olympics on Sunday. The Team USA star had to be airlifted off the piste after crashing early in her run.
Vonn ruptured her ACL at a World Cup event just one week ago, but decided to compete in the Milan-Cortina Olympics, winning plaudits across the board. However, just seconds into her Downhill run at the Olimpia delle Tofane course, Vonn clipped the first gate with one of her ski poles and lost control before her crash.
Mikaela Shiffrin Sends Best Wishes to Lindsey Vonn After Winter Olympics Crash
Fans and athletes from all over the world sent their best wishes to Vonn after her crash at the Winter Olympics. Fellow alpine ski racer Shiffrin also sent prayers for her teammate with a post on the social media platform X.
💔🙏🙏🙏 @lindseyvonn
— Mikaela Shiffrin ⛷️ (@MikaelaShiffrin) February 8, 2026
Vonn chose to retire from the sport in 2019 due to injuries, but a partial knee replacement in 2024 prompted her to return with the sole aim of competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Until the Olympics, she enjoyed a dominant 2026 FIS World Cup season, but her dream of ending her career with an Olympic medal has all but ended with the crash in the Downhill event.
The AP’s Jacquelyn Martin has the photo that shows the split-second before Lindsey Vonn’s crash: her right ski pole clips the gate at the crest of the jump, which flung her off balance and induced the crash. pic.twitter.com/RKjQ4H4lKg
— Matt Norlander (@MattNorlander) February 8, 2026
Vonn’s teammate, Breezy Johnson, ultimately won the gold medal in the women’s Downhill event, clocking 1:36.10. She became the second American woman in history to win Olympic gold in Downhill, after Vonn won at the 2010 Games in Vancouver.
Germany’s Emma Aicher claimed the silver medal while Italy’s Sofia Goggia won bronze.
What Lindsey Vonn’s Sister Said After Her Crash
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, hailed the skier for putting her “whole heart” into the 2026 Winter Olympics. Kildow hailed Vonn’s determination and added that she remained under medical evaluation.
“That’s definitely the last thing we wanted to see. When that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay, and it was scary. When you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign. She dared greatly, and she put it all out there,” Kildow said to NBC.
MORE: Lindsey Vonn’s Courageous Olympic Return Ends in Heartbreak After Devastating Downhill Crash
Vonn was also due to compete in the Super G and team events at the 2026 Winter Olympics. But following this crash, it remains to be seen whether she will be able to return to action in time to mount one last challenge.
