Families of Olympic Skiers Grapple with Heightened Fears After Lindsey Vonn's Crash

Loved ones of skiers like Jacqueline Wiles now worry more about safety than medals as the dangers of the sport become more apparent.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The families of Olympic skiers have always worried about the safety of their loved ones competing, but Lindsey Vonn's horrifying crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics has only heightened those fears. Jacqueline Wiles' boyfriend Maxime Boutemy said he and her family were "pooping our pants" watching her race shortly after Vonn's crash. Wiles' father David said he now focuses more on her safety than her performance, after she previously recovered from a serious knee injury and a plane crash. Other skiers like Nina O'Brien acknowledge that crashes are an unfortunate part of the sport that they have to compartmentalize.

Why it matters

Vonn's crash has brought renewed attention to the inherent dangers of elite-level skiing and the immense toll it can take on the athletes and their loved ones. This story highlights how the families of Olympic skiers are grappling with these heightened fears and the difficult balance between supporting their children's passion and worrying for their safety.

The details

Lindsey Vonn suffered a horrific crash during the Olympic downhill event, breaking her left leg. This came just before Jacqueline Wiles was set to compete, with her boyfriend Maxime Boutemy and family saying they were terrified watching her race immediately after Vonn's accident. Wiles had previously recovered from a serious knee injury and a plane crash she was involved in with Boutemy. Other skiers like Nina O'Brien acknowledge that crashes are an unfortunate reality they have to compartmentalize in order to compete.

  • Vonn crashed during the Olympic downhill event on February 10, 2026.
  • Jacqueline Wiles competed shortly after Vonn's crash on February 10, 2026.
  • Wiles won a bronze medal in the team combined event on February 14, 2026.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A former American Olympic alpine ski racer who suffered a horrific crash during the 2026 Winter Olympics downhill event, breaking her left leg.

Jacqueline Wiles

An American Olympic alpine ski racer who competed shortly after Vonn's crash and has previously recovered from a serious knee injury and a plane crash.

Maxime Boutemy

Jacqueline Wiles' boyfriend, who was terrified watching her race immediately after Vonn's crash.

David Wiles

Jacqueline Wiles' father, who now focuses more on her safety than her performance after her previous injuries.

Nina O'Brien

An American Olympic alpine ski racer who acknowledges that crashes are an unfortunate part of the sport that athletes have to compartmentalize.

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What they’re saying

“We were (pooping) our pants.”

— Maxime Boutemy, Jacqueline Wiles' boyfriend (sfgate.com)

“Before she crashed in 2018, whenever I'd watch her, I just wanted her to ski fast. But then, now when I watch races, I have a more visceral reaction. I want her to be safe.”

— David Wiles, Jacqueline Wiles' father (sfgate.com)

“I think all of us ski racers know, unfortunately, injury can be a pretty big part of this sport, and it's painful and you don't know when it will strike. That's something that we all have to accept and somehow compartmentalize and put aside what we get in to the starting gate. For me, personally, the healthiest way is to try and forget that for the moment and just focus on whatever I need to do in order to perform.”

— Nina O'Brien (sfgate.com)

What’s next

Lindsey Vonn's father Alan Kildow said on Monday that she will not return to the Winter Olympics after this crash, stating "She's 41 years old and this is the end of her career."

The takeaway

Vonn's horrific crash has heightened the fears and anxieties of the families of Olympic skiers, who now worry more about their loved ones' safety than their competitive success. This story highlights the immense toll that the inherent dangers of elite-level skiing can take on the athletes and their support systems, and the difficult balance they must strike between supporting their passion and protecting their wellbeing.