Ski queen Lindsey Vonn causes a stir. © FELICE CALABRO / Felice Calabro

No comment: Lindsey Vonn fuels the drama

The spotlight is on Lindsey Vonn at the Winter Olympics. On Friday, she made a statement during training – without saying a single word.

February 06, 2026

From Cortina d'Ampezzo

Wherever Lindsey Vonn appears, she is the center of attention, drawing all eyes to herself. This was true in her "first" career and is even more so in her "second," especially now at the Olympic Games. This, of course, has dramatic reasons: The ski queen had a phenomenal start to the new season, racking up wins and podium finishes with her partial knee replacement, catapulting herself into the role of top favorite for the Olympics – and then slid into a sporting tragedy.

A crash in Crans-Montana, a torn ACL – just one week before the Olympic downhill. While others might have been devastated, Vonn faced this serious injury head-on and intends to start in Sunday's downhill. That's why all eyes were on Vonn in the first women's training run on Friday. And despite her torn ACL, the 41-year-old showed solid form, posting the eleventh-fastest time in the training.

Vonn flees from the finish area

There was no comment afterward. No interview for the TV stations, no statement for the print and online press. Instead, Vonn fled the finish area with a support person at her side. Is the ski queen saving her words for her big appearance in Sunday's downhill race?

Lindsey Vonn after her training run. © ANSA / ANDREA SOLERO

Vonn's trusted coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, faced the questions. He was surrounded by journalists in the mixed zone. "If I hadn't known she had torn her ACL, I wouldn't have noticed," said the former ski superstar. The Norwegian then spoke words that exuded confidence for Sunday. "Lindsey was never afraid during the run. She told me that. She felt comfortable – a good sign."

"The dream lives on." Axel Lund Svindal

Svindal also suffered serious injuries during his career, including a torn cruciate ligament in 2016. "But that was completely different, because my cartilage and meniscus were also affected. The doctor told me at the time: 'The cruciate ligament tear is the least of your problems. Lindsey's is a clean tear.'"

It is still unclear whether Vonn will participate in the final training session on Saturday. What is clear, however, is that she continues to dream of a medal. "The dream lives on," Svindal concluded.