Lindsey Vonn she was airlifted off the course after a crash in Switzerland just days before she was scheduled to his miraculous return to the Olympics.
Vonn, 41, lost control during her World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland on Friday, January 30, eventually ending up entangled in the course’s safety nets.
After receiving medical attention for about five minutes, he skied down to the finish line, clearly in pain. Vonn was forced to stop several times, clutching her left knee.
Near the finish line, Vonn entered the medical tent before being airlifted by helicopter.
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Vonn “had an anxious expression and her eyes were closed during a long hug with her teammate. Jacqueline Wiles” before being transported off the course, according to ESPN.
Two other skiers also crashed on the piste before Vonn as the race was held in intense weather conditions.
Von broke his silence about the accident with a post on social media.
“I crashed today in the downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee,” Vonn shared on Instagram on Friday. “I’m discussing the situation with my doctors and my team and will continue to undergo further tests. This is a very difficult result a week before the Olympics … but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.”
He continued: “My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all the love and support. I will give more information when I have it. Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the amazing help I have received.”
Lindsey Vonn reacts after falling while competing in the women’s downhill race at the 2025-2026 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, 2026.
Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP“You can’t see and there are accidents everywhere,” said the Frenchman Roman Miradoliwho managed to finish his race without incident.
The race was canceled after Vonn’s crash.
“I know she hurt her knee, I spoke to her,” said the director general of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation Urs Lehmann he told reporters at the site. “I don’t know if it’s very heavy and (if) she won’t miss the Olympics. We’ll wait and see what the doctors say.”
Lindsey Vonn holds the back of her knee after crashing in the women’s downhill race at the 2025-2026 FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup in Crans Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, 2026.
Fabrice COFFRINI / AFPVonn’s first scheduled Olympic event is the women’s downhill on Sunday, February 8. He also plans to compete in the super G and the new combined team event.
The 2026 Winter Olympics officially begin on Wednesday, February 4, with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday, February 6.
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist, last competed at the Games in 2018. She announced her return to alpine skiing in November 2024 just months after having a partial knee replacement.
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“After much thought, research and talking to many doctors, I made the decision to get a knee replacement,” shared Vonn. via Instagram on April 2024. “I have severe three-compartment degeneration, but the main compartment that has been painful is the lateral compartment, or the outside of the knee.”
She added: “I got to the point where it was too much and my knee couldn’t handle doing the things I love to do… I appreciate all the well wishes 🙏🏻 It means a lot to me. But don’t worry, this is just another blip in my journey through life and you know I’ll be back on the road as soon as possible 💪🏻!
Vonn explained why she was motivated to return to the Olympics during an interview with SELF magazine in January.
“This is 24 years after my first Olympics. I’ve won everything I could have won. I’m not doing this to prove anything to anyone,” he said. “I’m doing this because I think I can do well, it’s a meaningful place for me and I think I can have a positive impact.”