Lindsey Vonn is going all in. © APA/afp / ODD ANDERSEN

Torn cruciate ligament: Vonn still wants to try

Lindsey Vonn tore her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee in a crash during the Alpine Ski World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana last Friday. The 41-year-old announced this at a press conference in Cortina d'Ampezzo on Tuesday.

February 03, 2026

From: apa/dpa/reuters

Despite the injury, Vonn is aiming to start in Sunday's Olympic downhill (11:30 a.m.). "I have to wait for the downhill training runs. My knee might be unstable. But as long as I keep it stable, it should be okay."

It helps that she knows the course well, having won it twelve times. "I don't actually need to inspect it," said Vonn, who returned to the World Cup last season. "If there's any course I know best, it's Cortina. That gives me a lot of confidence." However, she has to take it day by day. This season, Vonn won her 83rd and 84th World Cup races overall and finished in the top four in all of her starts. The 2010 Olympic downhill champion plans to end her career for good at the end of the season.

"I know that I still have a chance"

Over the past few days, her knee has undergone intensive therapy following a doctor's consultation. She has also been to the gym and went skiing on Tuesday. "My knee felt stable and strong. It's not swollen. I'm confident that I'll be able to ski on Sunday with the support of a knee brace." She says her fitness level is at 100 percent. However, that doesn't necessarily mean her body is in top condition.

Lindsey Vonn was in good spirits at her press conference in Cortina. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

She had worked hard to be in a better starting position at the Games. "I know my chances before the crash and I know my chances now – they're not the same anymore. But I know I still have a chance. As long as I have that chance, I'll go for it." The first of three downhill training runs for the Olympic downhill on the Tofana is scheduled for Thursday.

Vonn, who is also suffering from bone bruises, did not rule out competing in the team combined and Super-G events at the Olympics next week. These races are scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday of next week. Competing every two days would put her knee under considerable race-like stress. Vonn took a realistic view – ski racing is inherently dangerous, and she pushes herself to the limit, said the four-time overall World Cup champion.

Can she pull off the miracle?

The speed specialist slid into a safety net after her crash in the Crans-Montana downhill. She slid across the finish line on skis, repeatedly clutching her left knee. She was then airlifted to the hospital by helicopter. She initially declined to comment on the severity of her injury. Vonn is now skiing with a partial replacement knee. Her main goal for these Games is another Olympic medal.