Lindsey Vonn Suffers Crash in Olympic Downhill with Torn Ligament at Age 41

The legendary skier was competing with a serious knee injury when she crashed at the start of the event.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Lindsey Vonn, who was competing with a severe injury to her left knee, crashed at the start of the Olympic downhill event on Sunday and remained on the ground for several minutes before being attended to by medical staff. Vonn, 41 years old, was attempting a comeback after retiring in 2019 due to a series of injuries.

Why it matters

Vonn is considered one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, with an Olympic gold medal, four World Cup overall titles, and 82 World Cup race wins to her name. Her decision to compete at the Olympics with a torn ligament in her knee was seen as a testament to her determination and competitive spirit, but also raised concerns about the risks she was taking with her long-term health.

The details

Vonn crashed shortly after the start of the women's downhill event, losing control and slamming into the safety netting. She remained on the ground for several minutes before being attended to by medical staff. Vonn had been open about her knee injury in the lead-up to the Olympics, but felt she had one final chance to compete at the highest level.

  • The women's Olympic downhill event took place on February 8, 2026.
  • Vonn announced her retirement from professional skiing in 2019 due to a series of injuries.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A legendary American alpine skier who won a gold medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics and is considered one of the greatest skiers of all time, with 82 World Cup race wins.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

The takeaway

Vonn's crash and injury at the 2026 Olympics underscores the immense physical toll that elite-level skiing can take on an athlete's body, even for legends of the sport. Her decision to compete while injured highlighted her drive to compete at the highest level, but also the difficult balance between ambition and long-term health that many athletes face.