Lindsey Vonn crashed badly onto the slope. © FELICE CALABRO' / Felice Calabro'

Next update: How Lindsey Vonn is doing

The skiing world was shaken by Lindsey Vonn's brutal crash during Sunday's women's Olympic downhill. Now there is further news about her health.

February 08, 2026

From Cortina d'Ampezzo

An eerie silence fell over the finish area in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Sunday when Lindsey Vonn crashed. Just seconds into the race, the ski queen caught her foot on a gate, somersaulted, and slammed onto the rock-hard piste. Vonn's cries of pain They were heard on TV – and went right through you.

The American skier was rescued by helicopter and taken to the nearby hospital in Cortina d'Ampezzo. Then there was an initial update. Alex Hödlmoser, the coach of the US women's speed team, explained to SRF: "We have very little information yet. Apparently, it's a fracture in her lower leg. But we don't know anything for sure. She's still undergoing further examinations."

Vonn was airlifted to hospital. © APA/afp / MARCO BERTORELLO

The Italian news agencies Handle and Adnkronos Later reports, citing the hospital in Treviso, stated that Vonn had undergone surgery on her left leg there. Hödlmoser himself has not yet been able to speak with Vonn. He had previously said: "Whether she is treated here, transferred to Austria, or elsewhere will depend on the extent of her injuries."

The US ski team had been on the platform X It was merely written that Vonn was injured but stable and was being treated by American and Italian doctors.

Vonn's sister is shocked

“That was definitely the last thing we wanted to see,” Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow told the broadcaster. NBC"When something like this happens, you immediately hope she's okay, and it was frightening. Seeing how the stretchers are set up is not a good sign."

For the US speed team, it was certainly a rollercoaster of emotions. On the one hand, Vonn suffered a brutal crash, while on the other, Breezy Johnson won the gold medal. "You're happy about the gold, but at the same time worried about Lindsey," a moved coach Hödlmoser concluded.