CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) – Just one week after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn spent Friday touring the Olympic downhill course alongside other competitors, mere hours before the start of the opening practice session, with her sights set on winning gold.
Vonn intends to race at Milan-Cortina while wearing a substantial knee brace. Following her crash in Switzerland last week, she has been resolute in continuing to compete despite an injury that might have ended the season—or even a career—for many athletes.
When the sun finally emerged in Cortina, beneath the Olimpia delle Tofane run, after days of snow and cloud cover, Vonn shared on social media: “I couldn’t be happier! No one would have believed I was here. But I did it!! I’m here, I’m smiling, and I know how lucky I am no matter what. I’m not going to waste this chance. Let’s go grab it!!”
The American skier underwent partial titanium knee replacement surgery in 2024 and made her comeback to competitive skiing last season following six years of retirement. Her crash occurred last Friday during her last pre-Olympic World Cup downhill run in Crans-Montana. She was airlifted from the scene but later posted online, “My Olympic dream is not over.”
Thursday’s first training run was canceled due to heavy snowfall, leaving only Friday and Saturday sessions before Sunday’s downhill race. Wearing bib number 10, she was set to be the tenth racer on Friday’s training course.
Vonn holds the impressive record of 12 World Cup victories in Cortina.
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-Winter-olympics
Fan Take: Lindsey Vonn’s relentless determination highlights the mindset elite athletes bring to their sports, a trait basketball fans deeply admire. Her comeback story is an inspiring reminder of the resilience required to overcome setbacks—something that can fuel motivation on basketball courts everywhere.
