Lindsey Vonn has defended herself against a critic. © APA/afp / STEFANO RELLANDINI

Vonn counters doubts about injury: "Only because it seems impossible"

Since tearing her ACL at the World Cup in Crans-Montana, Lindsey Vonn has been completely in the spotlight. Now the American has had to deal with doubts about her injury.

February 07, 2026

From: never

The press conference in Cortina d'Ampezzo last Tuesday was quite eventful. "My knee felt stable and strong. It's not swollen. I'm confident that I'll be able to race on Sunday with the support of a knee brace," explained Lindsey Vonn. in front of a large number of international media outletsDespite a torn cruciate ligament in her left knee, which she suffered in a crash during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, she will start in the downhill at the Olympic Games on Sunday (from 11:30 am in the SportNews(Live ticker). The goal? Naturally Gold.

To outsiders, it borders on a physical miracle that Vonn was able to complete the downhill training on the Olimpia delle Tofane. A miracle that also drew skeptics. "There's a very important aspect we don't know: What condition was her cruciate ligament in before the accident?" sports physician Brian Sutterer pointed out on social media.

Vonn fires at the doubters

Therefore, the 41-year-old's progress would be less surprising if the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) had been damaged previously. "When you hear stories like, 'XY played for years with a torn ACL,' these are chronic cases—meaning the body has had time to adapt and retrain the muscles to stabilize the knee," he explained. "Furthermore, in someone who has previously had a tear or surgery, swelling and pain are often less upon re-injury."

"Don't make me laugh – thanks, Doc. My cruciate ligament was fully functional until last Friday." Lindsey Vonn

His conclusion, therefore, was that Vonn did not suffer a recent ACL tear. A speculation that the 2010 Olympic champion did not let pass without comment. "Yeah, right – thanks, Doc," Vonn replied to the post. "My ACL was fully functional until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn't mean it is. And yes, it's 100 percent torn. Not 80 or 50 percent. It's 100 percent gone."

Lindsey Vonn will compete at the Olympics despite a torn cruciate ligament. © APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT

Vonn has never let critics hold her back in her career; on the contrary, they have only spurred her on. This is underscored by her impressive comeback, including two World Cup victories this season. A medal in Cortina d'Ampezzo would fulfill one last dream.