Days before the Alpine downhill at the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics, 41-year-old Lindsey Vonn confirmed a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee but intends to start the race at Olympia delle Tofane. Vonn, an Olympic gold medalist in 2010 with three Olympic medals across five Games, 84 World Cup wins and eight world championship medals, is approaching the event as a comeback and an example for younger athletes rather than a medal chase. Medical specialists say some athletes can manage partial ACL damage without immediate reconstruction, yet a destabilizing full tear markedly raises the risk of secondary damage. The decision to race blends medical judgment, equipment, psychological readiness and an athlete’s tolerance for pain and risk.
Key takeaways
- Lindsey Vonn, 41, confirmed a left ACL rupture days before her last Olympic downhill at Olympia delle Tofane in early February 2026.
- Vonn’s career totals include one Olympic gold (2010), three Olympic medals over five Games, eight world championship medals and 84 World Cup victories.
- She underwent a robot-assisted partial cartilage replacement on her right knee in April 2024 and returned to competition after a 2019–2024 hiatus.
- Orthopedic experts note some ACL tears are “ACL-independent” and may permit limited competition, while a full destabilizing tear greatly increases the chance of further injury.
- Downhill speeds commonly reach 70–80 mph; at those velocities, knee stability is critical for turning, landing and survival on icy, steep courses.
- Vonn says her motive is to inspire the next generation rather than to win more hardware; her mental coach emphasizes purpose and grit as drivers of her choice.
- Clinicians warn that acute ACL tears are followed by swelling and sensitivity, and that further use can lead to bone bruises, meniscal damage or additional ligament injuries.
Background
Lindsey Vonn first emerged as a standout at the 2002 Winter Games and became one of alpine skiing’s most decorated competitors. Her peak achievements include Olympic gold in 2010, three Olympic medals across five Games, eight world championship medals and 84 World Cup victories, statistics that have placed her among the sport’s all-time leaders. Vonn retired in 2019, then spent five years away from full-time competition to reexamine her identity off the slopes. She returned to racing in 2024 after surgery and rehabilitation, including a robot-assisted partial cartilage replacement on her right knee in April 2024.
The current injury is to her left knee and occurred in the final World Cup race before the Milan Games began. That timing raises both logistical and medical pressure: Olympic participation demands rapid decisions about clearance and protective strategies, while downhill skiing at elite levels requires millimeter-precise muscle coordination and trust in the joint. Historically, elite skiers have returned from significant injuries, but the combination of high speed, icy terrain and the mechanics of turning makes knee stability uniquely consequential in downhill events.
Main event
Vonn crashed in a World Cup race in Switzerland when she failed to navigate a sharp turn, and subsequently confirmed a ruptured ACL in the left knee. The injury came just days before she was scheduled to start at Olympia delle Tofane, a steep Dolomite descent where racers top out at roughly 70–80 mph. Vonn has said she skied recently at reduced speed and felt the joint hold, and she remains determined to start the Olympic downhill even if her objective is not podium placement.
Medical voices are divided on the practicalities. Dr. Kevin Stone of the Stone Clinic describes a range of ACL injuries: some partial tears leave the joint functionally stable, while full tears often destabilize the knee and dramatically increase the risk of additional trauma. He and other orthopedic specialists note that acute swelling and sensitivity in the initial weeks after an ACL rupture can mask the full extent of damage and that no brace reliably recreates complete ligament function at downhill race loads.
Vonn’s mental preparation and pain tolerance factor heavily into the decision. Her mental health coach since 2020, Dr. Armando Gonzalez, frames the effort as a values-driven act rather than a hunt for medals: Vonn wants to model persistence for younger athletes. Team medical staff and independent physicians face the trade-off between enabling a final Olympic appearance and protecting long-term joint health.
Analysis & implications
At issue is a classic risk–reward calculation with substantial medical and social dimensions. If Vonn’s ACL tear is partial and the joint remains functionally stable, conservative management combined with bracing, targeted strengthening and psychological readiness could allow her to complete the run and postpone reconstructive surgery. That outcome would preserve mobility and offer a high-profile example of resilience, reinforcing narratives about grit in elite sport.
Conversely, a full, destabilizing tear significantly raises the probability of secondary injuries—meniscal tears, bone bruises or cartilage loss—that can accelerate long-term degeneration. For a 41-year-old athlete whose right knee already required robotic cartilage repair in April 2024, the stakes are not only for a single race but for post-career quality of life. Surgeons advising caution stress that downhill forces exceed those in most other sports, and the margin for error is small.
The broader ripple effects touch athlete welfare, event organizers and youth skiers. A high-profile competitor choosing to race injured could inspire trainees, but it may also complicate public understanding of appropriate medical thresholds for competition. National teams and federations will watch how on-site medical clearance is handled, since similar cases could set informal precedents for future events.
Comparison & data
| Metric | Vonn career / 2024–2026 context |
|---|---|
| Olympic medals | 3 medals across five Games; gold in 2010 |
| World Cup wins | 84 career victories |
| Recent surgeries | Robot-assisted partial cartilage replacement, right knee, April 2024 |
| Current injury | Left ACL rupture (confirmed) |
This table condenses Vonn’s competitive record alongside her recent surgical history and the newly confirmed left ACL rupture. The numbers underline why the decision to race is not about chasing first-time accolades—Vonn has already secured the sport’s top honors—but about balancing legacy, personal goals and medical prudence.
Reactions & quotes
Medical context from an orthopedic surgeon underscores the uncertainty around clearance and risk.
“If the ACL is partially torn and the joint remains stable, some athletes can continue; but a full, destabilizing tear makes further injury extremely likely.”
Dr. Kevin Stone, Stone Clinic (orthopedic surgeon)
Before and after that statement, clinicians noted that acute swelling and the potential for hidden bone or meniscal damage complicate same-week clearances. Teams typically assess imaging, physical stability and functional tests; in high-speed downhill, the margin for an incorrect judgment is small.
Vonn’s mental coach frames her choice as ethical and inspirational rather than purely competitive.
“She wants it; she doesn’t need it. This is about living her values and inspiring the next generation with grit and determination.”
Dr. Armando Gonzalez (mental health coach)
Gonzalez has worked with Vonn since 2020 on identity and resilience. His view emphasizes purpose as the primary motivator for returning to competition despite medical obstacles.
Vonn herself has signaled familiarity with pain and past comebacks, saying that experience informs what her body can and cannot do. Team statements have indicated she will race from a high start position, leaving observers to watch whether she can reach the bottom without further harm.
Unconfirmed
- Whether the ACL tear is a partial, functionally stable injury or a full destabilizing rupture remains publicly unspecified pending full imaging review.
- Exact medical clearance criteria and the full content of team physicians’ on-site evaluations before race day have not been disclosed.
- Long-term prognosis—whether immediate reconstruction will follow the Olympics or if conservative management will be extended—is not confirmed.
Bottom line
Lindsey Vonn’s planned start at the 2026 downhill is as much a statement of personal purpose as a competitive choice. If her left ACL proves partially torn and the joint is functionally stable, she may complete the run with careful management; a full destabilizing tear would markedly increase the risk of further, potentially career- and life-altering knee damage. Medical teams, equipment technicians and Vonn’s own experience will shape the immediate decision, but uncertainty about the internal state of the knee means outcomes range from a successful, inspirational finish to an acute worsening that requires more invasive repair.
For fans and athletes, the moment crystallizes perennial tensions in elite sport: the appeal of courageous performances and the obligation to prioritize long-term health. Observers should watch official medical statements, imaging results and post-race plans to understand both the near-term outcome and the longer-term implications for Vonn’s mobility and legacy.