Ski Experts Say Torn ACL Did Not Cause Lindsey Vonn's Crash

Legendary skier's violent crash at Olympics raises questions about risk-taking and career-defining moments

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Lindsey Vonn, the 41-year-old skiing legend, suffered a violent crash during the Olympics that resulted in a fractured left leg and emergency surgery. While Vonn was racing with a ruptured ACL, experts say there's no evidence the injury directly caused the crash. They attribute it to the inherent dangers and unpredictability of the sport, as well as Vonn's fearless approach to competition, even in the face of significant injury risk.

Why it matters

Vonn's decision to race with a serious knee injury has sparked debate about risk-taking, the pressure of elite competition, and an athlete's right to make their own choices about their health and career. As one of the most accomplished skiers of all time, Vonn's crash highlights the fine line between triumph and tragedy in dangerous sports like downhill skiing.

The details

Vonn's crash occurred near the top of the Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, where she had won 12 World Cup races in her storied career. Experts say the first turn on the course is extremely steep and difficult, requiring skiers to traverse the hill perpendicular to the fall line in a 'double-black-diamond' type of maneuver. Vonn's former teammate Stacey Cook said the turn is much more challenging than it appears on television. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, a renowned sports surgeon, reviewed video of the crash and found no obvious indication that Vonn's ruptured ACL directly caused the fall. He believes Vonn, with her extensive injury history, had a unique perspective on the risks and was willing to accept them in pursuit of a career-defining Olympic moment.

  • Vonn's crash occurred on February 9, 2026 during the Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
  • Vonn had performed well on the same course the day before the crash.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A 41-year-old legendary American ski racer who was competing in the Olympics with a ruptured ACL, hoping to cap her career with a meaningful Olympic moment.

Dr. Neal ElAttrache

A preeminent sports surgeon in Los Angeles who has previously treated Vonn and is in contact with her medical team.

Stacey Cook

A retired American ski racer and former teammate of Vonn on the U.S. Ski Team.

Dr. Armando Gonzalez

Vonn's mental coach who said her goal was to "defy the odds" and "find a way" to compete, despite the injury.

Johan Eliasch

The president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, who said Vonn was "incredibly unlucky" in the crash.

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What they’re saying

“She's so tough mentally that as long as physically she was OK, she was going to do it. I think the harder part is wrapping your mind around putting yourself at risk again. And that's never been an issue for her. She's always been willing to, like, put it on the line... She was always the, like, extra fearless one.”

— Stacey Cook, Retired ski racer and former teammate of Vonn (Los Angeles Times)

“Everybody knew going into it that there was only one way that this was going to come out good, and that's if she not only made it through the race, but performed well. If she didn't ski a Lindsey Vonn race and was at least competitive at the top of the leaderboard, it would be considered a failure. There wasn't a lot of upside, except for Lindsey.”

— Dr. Neal ElAttrache, Preeminent sports surgeon (Los Angeles Times)

“This was not about proving anything to anyone. It was more about defying the odds that were placed against her and being a competitor that always found a way, no matter what, no matter if it was pain, no matter if it was noise from the outside, she'd always find a way.”

— Dr. Armando Gonzalez, Vonn's mental coach (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

Vonn underwent emergency surgery on her fractured left leg following the crash. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation will likely review the course conditions and safety protocols in the wake of the high-profile incident.

The takeaway

Lindsey Vonn's decision to race with a serious knee injury at the Olympics, despite the significant risks, highlights the complex calculus elite athletes must make when balancing their competitive drive with their physical well-being. Her crash underscores the inherent dangers of downhill skiing and the fine line between triumph and tragedy in the pursuit of athletic greatness.