Lindsey Vonnfriend of Chemmy Alcott I couldn’t help but get excited live and on air after seeing the Team USA skier accident to the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“I actually feel guilty because I’m so emotional, but when we thought about the end of this story … I never thought it would end up with her in a group next to the piece not moving,” Alcott said on Sunday, Feb. 8, after Vonn crashed while competing in the women’s downhill.
“This is an absolute nightmare,” Alcott added, holding back tears. “It’s an absolute nightmare.”
Alcott continued, “Yeah, we wanted to see her come to the end smiling because she was fast, but we just wanted to see her take on this challenge, and it’s so hard. I feel so bad that I feel like this, because I think about her family and her whole team and herself. I mean, oh, so sad.”
ROB RICH/Shutterstock Lindsey Vonn’s knee is battle-tested after her ski career, but the pain persists after her retirement in 2019. “Hey guys, just letting you know. I’m out of surgery. It went well,” the 39-year-old former athlete said in an Instagram Story video on Wednesday, July 26. “I’m here, I’m still kicking. I appreciate everything (…)
Vonn, 41, crashed just 13 seconds into her race, where she was immediately heard screaming in pain and seemingly unable to move. She was later airlifted off the course. The athlete was running with a torn ACL — an injury he suffered just nine days earlier while competing in the World Cup race in Switzerland.
Hours later, Team USA provided an update in the state of Vonn.
“Lindsey Vonn suffered an injury but is in stable condition,” the US ski and snowboard team wrote via X on Sunday. “(Vonn) is in good hands with a team of American and Italian doctors.”
The nature of Vonn’s additional injury is not yet known.
Lindsey Vonn crashes during the women’s downhill on day two of the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
IOC via Getty ImagesBefore competing at this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Vonn addressed her critics head-on after receiving online backlash for his decision to compete despite his ACL injury and age.
“Lol thanks doc,” Vonn posted via X on Saturday, Feb. 7, in response to a sports medicine doctor questioning the status of her torn ligament. “My ACL was fully functional 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.”
The three-time Olympic medalist also commented on USA Today opinion article of Greg Graberin which the writer suggested that Vonn is “risking long-term physical repercussions” by competing with the torn ACL, and is “well past” her prime.
Lionel Hahn/Getty Images Lindsey Vonn decided to have knee replacement surgery after suffering several injuries throughout her career. “After much thought, research and talking to many doctors, I have made the decision to have my knee replaced,” the 39-year-old former Olympian wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, April 9. “I have severe degeneration of three compartments (…)
“Sorry, Greg, but this is a very strange op-ed,” Vonn commented. “Pain and suffering is the point? Am I looking for meaning? Why am I taking chances ‘at my age?’ These age things are getting very old.”
2026 was supposed to be Vonn’s big return to the sport. Despite retiring in 2019, Vonn decided to make a competitive return in 2024.
“I know what my chances were at these Olympics before this accident, and even though my chances aren’t the same now, there’s still a chance,” Vonn said on Feb. 3 of her chances to make the podium. “And as long as I have a chance, I won’t lose hope. I won’t give up! It’s not over yet. Thank you to everyone who has reached out and supported me. I feel the love and it’s giving me strength.”