Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Crash in Final Race Before Milan Cortina Olympics
U.S. skiing legend Lindsey Vonn was airlifted from the course on Friday following a crash in her final downhill race ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games. The accident occurred just one week before the Olympics are set to begin, creating a significant setback for the 41-year-old star who had come out of retirement targeting a final appearance on the world stage.
Emergency personnel attended to Vonn immediately on the slope before she was transported by helicopter for urgent medical checks. While specific details regarding her injuries have not yet been released, the severity of the response has caused concern given Vonn’s extensive history of high-speed crashes and orthopedic surgeries, particularly to her knees, which originally forced her retirement in 2019.
Vonn’s pursuit of an Olympic return at age 41 has been a dominant narrative leading up to the 2026 Games. While her comeback has been celebrated by many as a testament to athletic longevity, it has also faced objections from critics who argue that returning to the elite level of downhill skiing after a lengthy hiatus presents disproportionate safety risks. This incident is likely to reignite debates within the skiing community regarding the physical viability of competing in speed events at this stage of a career.
With 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals already to her name, Vonn had hoped to add a final chapter to her legacy in Italy. Team USA officials and fans now await the results of her medical evaluation to determine if she can recover in time to compete or if this crash marks the end of her Olympic bid.
