Lindsey Vonn plans Olympics return despite ACL injury
Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn discusses her plans to compete in the Winter Olympics despite rupturing her ACL. Sports medicine expert Dr. Rick Lehman weighs his chances and the risks involved, noting his mental toughness.
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Olympic gold medalist and American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn continued to defy the odds Friday when she completed her first women’s downhill training race just a week after tearing her ACL in a World Cup race.
Vonn, wearing bib No. 10 and a brace on her left knee, completed her race on a day when fog delayed skiers waiting their turn at the famous Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
She seemed to have no limitations during the training run, although she sometimes veered off course and almost missed some gates. Vonn covered the 1.6-mile track in 1:40.33 and crossed the all-important finish line.
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Lindsey Vonn of the United States in women’s downhill training during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center on February 6, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Eric Bolte/Imagn Images)
The 41-year-old ski champion, who holds a record 12 World Cup victories in Cortina, including six in downhill, was aggressive in her first training session.
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An ACL tear typically sidelines an athlete for about a year, but Vonn remains committed to managing her injury and competing. She detailed the severity on Friday, writing on X that the critical knee ligament was “100% gone.”
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in women’s downhill training during the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center on February 6, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Michael Madrid/Imagn Images)
“My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% torn. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone,” Vonn wrote.
Vonn revealed the injury a day after posting a video of herself squatting with a barbell in the gym. She underwent a partial right knee replacement in 2024, highlighting a long history of knee problems.
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in the finish zone during women’s downhill training at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center on February 6, 2026, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Léonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Vonn celebrated with Team USA teammate Breezy Johnson after Friday’s practice but declined interviews. She was asked if she was “is everything okay?” » she replied simply: “Yeah.”
The women’s alpine downhill begins Sunday with Vonn expected to be at the starting gate.
“I know what my chances were before the accident, and I know my chances are not the same as they are today, but I know there is still a chance. And as long as there is a chance, I will try,” she told reporters Tuesday at the Cortina curling stadium.
