Lindsey Vonn, a legend of alpine skiing, is once again defying expectations, captivating the world with an improbable return to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. At 41 years old, she stands at the precipice of her fifth Games, facing not only the rigors of elite competition but also an astonishing array of physical challenges: a titanium replacement in her right knee and a newly ruptured ACL, bone bruising, and meniscal damage in her left knee, sustained just nine days before the downhill race. This isn’t just a comeback; it’s a testament to unwavering spirit and a deep love for the sport, proving that for Vonn, the fight is the victory.
The Unfolding Drama: A Training Run Against All Odds
The journey to the start gate in Cortina has been fraught with tension. Heavy snowfall canceled Thursday’s downhill training. Friday’s practice was delayed by thick fog for over 90 minutes. Yet, when Lindsey Vonn finally pushed off for her first Olympic training run, her performance was remarkably composed. As the 10th skier to drop, she glided smoothly, confidently leading through most of the course. Despite a couple of errors over the rollers near the finish, she secured the 11th-best time. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, a two-time Olympic champion, described her demeanor as “like race day,” noting her history of pushing boundaries.
Just days earlier, Vonn had announced her decision to compete despite the complete ACL tear in her left knee. Making it through the training run was a crucial statement, confirming her fitness to herself and the world. On Saturday, Vonn completed a second training run, significantly faster than the previous day. She clocked 1:38.28, two seconds quicker, and finished third, a mere 0.37 seconds behind teammate Breezy Johnson. Svindal observed an encouraging symmetry in her skiing. He saw her left and right-footed turns looking equally strong, despite some off-balance landings as her brain instinctively tried to favor her right leg. He hopes to minimize this for the main event.
A Career Forged in Fire: Vonn’s History of Resilience
Vonn’s current situation is, in many ways, a microcosm of her illustrious career. It’s a narrative woven with unparalleled success interspersed by devastating injuries, often occurring right before or during the Olympics. Her resilience is legendary:
2006 Games: A horrific downhill training crash saw her airlifted from the mountain. She returned two days later to finish eighth.
2010 Games: Despite a deep shin bruise, which she called the most painful injury of her life, she captured the downhill gold medal.
2014 Games: A partial ACL tear forced her to miss the Games entirely.
2018 Games: She skied with a dislodged chunk of cartilage in her right knee, still securing a bronze medal.
- 2019 World Championships: Competing with “no LCL and three tibial plateau fractures,” she earned a bronze medal in her final race before retirement.
- www.valleynewslive.com
- www.texarkanagazette.com
- kslsports.com
- au.sports.yahoo.com
- www.usatoday.com
These experiences have forged an athlete who understands the fine line between pushing limits and recovery. Vonn herself admits, “Because I push the limits, I crash, and I’ve been injured more times than I would like to admit.”
The Path Back to Cortina: A Second Chance on Her Terms
Vonn initially retired in 2019, forced out by constant pain and a string of debilitating right knee injuries. Her body, not her will, made the decision. She underwent multiple ACL and MCL repairs and by the Pyeongchang 2018 Olympics, could barely bend her right knee. After retirement, Vonn embraced life beyond skiing. She explored car racing, rodeo roping, and wrote a book. She found self-confidence away from the isolated world of elite ski racing.
A turning point came in April 2024 when she underwent a partial knee replacement. Within a month, she could fully straighten her leg and perform exercises she hadn’t done in years. The possibility of a comeback, on her terms, began to take root. The upcoming 2026 Winter Games, set in Cortina, provided a powerful, personal goal. Cortina d’Ampezzo holds immense significance for Vonn. It was the site of her first World Cup podium as a teenager in 2004, and she has a record 12 World Cup wins there. “If it had been anywhere else, I would probably say it’s not worth it,” Vonn shared. “But for me, there’s something special about Cortina that always pulls me back.”
Pre-Injury Prowess: “Unstoppable” Before the Crash
Vonn’s decision to return was bolstered by her exceptional form in the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics. She returned to the sport last season, after a nearly six-year hiatus, and within months, she was thriving. She added 12 pounds of muscle and significantly increased her strength and agility. In August, she began working with Aksel Lund Svindal, who retired the same month she did in 2019.
This season, Vonn was, by many accounts, “unstoppable.” She finished on the podium in all five World Cup downhill races, winning two, and earned two podiums in three Super-G races. She led the downhill standings and was second in Super-G and sixth overall. Her right-footed turn, long hampered by injury, was back to its best. “I’m generating speed off my right side, which I haven’t in a very long time,” Vonn noted in October 2025. This exceptional form, however, was tragically interrupted by a crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just one week before the Olympics, resulting in the torn ACL.
The Olympia delle Tofane Challenge: A Course She Knows
The Olympic downhill race takes place on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina. This track is famously demanding, featuring high-speed sections like the Tofana schuss, where skiers can hit 80 mph. A critical “reverse banked” right turn above the schuss dictates speed for the rest of the course, and the challenging Delta left turn adds further complexity. Vonn’s extensive experience on this specific course is a considerable advantage.
“I love everything about the Cortina track,” Vonn stated last year. “I understand it well. In downhill, it’s all about seeing the fall line and being able to carry speed. I know the places where I can make a mistake and where I can’t, the places I have to accelerate.” This intimate knowledge, coupled with a sturdy knee brace for stability, will be crucial as she navigates the course with her new injury. Svindal acknowledged the brace’s negative impact on aerodynamics but confirmed its necessity for safety.
Mental Fortitude: A Legacy Beyond Winning
Vonn’s comeback resonates deeply because it’s driven by a powerful personal narrative. Her mother, Linda, passed away in August 2022 after a battle with ALS. This loss profoundly influenced Vonn’s decision to return. “My mother in general, her attitude has always inspired my comebacks,” she shared. “Her passing makes me realize even more that life is short. I’m given this opportunity and I can’t take that for granted.” This perspective fuels a mindset where merely showing up in the start gate and trying represents a profound victory.
Rivals and friends, including Sofia Goggia and Mikaela Shiffrin, have weighed in on Vonn’s incredible attempt. Goggia, who won silver in 2022 after a severe knee injury, acknowledged the extreme difference in Vonn’s complete ACL rupture. Shiffrin, who surpassed Vonn’s World Cup win record, expressed “100% belief that anything is possible,” citing Vonn’s history of achieving incredible feats despite injury. Vonn’s Instagram post before the race encapsulates her spirit: “while I can’t guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have. But no matter what happens, I have already won… Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee- but know that I still believe.” Her legacy, she insists, isn’t about the wins, but about the relentless pursuit of trying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specific injuries is Lindsey Vonn competing with at the 2026 Olympics?
Lindsey Vonn is competing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics with a complex array of injuries. She has a pre-existing titanium replacement in her right knee, which she underwent in April 2024. Additionally, just nine days before the Olympic downhill race, she sustained a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee, along with bone bruising and meniscal damage. She will wear a substantial brace on her injured left knee for support during the race.
Why is Cortina d’Ampezzo so significant for Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic return?
Cortina d’Ampezzo holds immense personal and professional significance for Lindsey Vonn. It was the site of her very first World Cup podium finish as a teenager in 2004. Throughout her career, Vonn has achieved 12 World Cup victories on the Cortina course, more than any other skier at a single venue. She openly stated that she would not have attempted this comeback if the Olympics were not held in Cortina, highlighting its “special” pull as the ideal place to potentially conclude her illustrious career on her own terms.
What are Lindsey Vonn’s chances of winning an Olympic medal despite her recent ACL injury?
Lindsey Vonn’s chances of winning an Olympic medal are significantly challenged by her recent ACL rupture, age (41), and other knee issues. However, her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, believes her physical strength is “good enough to win this race,” emphasizing her exceptional mental fortitude and vast experience as critical assets. Before her injury, Vonn was in formidable form, leading the World Cup downhill standings. While the odds are stacked against her, Vonn’s profound course knowledge of Cortina and her legendary ability to perform under pressure suggest that she remains a contender, driven by an unwavering belief in “second chances” and a desire to simply “try.”
A Legacy Beyond Medals
As Lindsey Vonn pushes out of the start gate on Sunday for her fifth Olympics, she embodies more than just athletic prowess. She represents the ultimate second chance, the indomitable human spirit, and a deep, intrinsic love for a sport that has given her so much, and taken so much. Her new companion, a Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy named Chance, is a poignant symbol of this chapter. Vonn also carries the memory of her mother, Linda, and other loved ones, whose initials adorn her helmet, her “angel army.”
No matter the outcome of the downhill race, Lindsey Vonn’s return to the 2026 Winter Olympics is already a historic achievement. It’s not merely about chasing another medal, but about closing a remarkable career on her own terms, free of regret. As her late coach Erich Sailer once told her, “What’s 90 seconds in a lifetime?” For Vonn, those 90 seconds will be a profound final statement of courage, passion, and an unforgettable legacy.
