Lindsey Vonn remains in stable condition following a horrific crash during the women’s downhill final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team has confirmed.
The American skiing legend, 41, is receiving treatment from both American and Italian medical professionals after the incident at Cortina d’Ampezzo on Sunday.
“Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians,” the team stated on X.
The five-time Olympian and 2010 gold medallist was competing in what was expected to be her final Olympic appearance when disaster struck on the Italian slopes.
Vonn’s run came to a devastating end just 13 seconds after leaving the start gate when her right ski pole became entangled with a course marker.
The high-speed collision sent the veteran racer tumbling through the air multiple times before she came to rest on the mountainside.
Television coverage captured Vonn crying out “Oh my God” in evident agony as rescue teams reached her position.
Lindsey Vonn remains in stable condition following a horrific crash during the women’s downhill final at the 2026 Winter Olympics, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team has confirmed
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REUTERS
Medical personnel carefully transferred the stricken athlete onto a stretcher before she was airlifted from the course by helicopter.
The dramatic scenes unfolded before a packed crowd at the Italian resort, where Vonn had hoped to cap her remarkable Olympic career with one final competitive run.
Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow witnessed the terrifying incident from the spectator stands and spoke to NBC’s broadcast about the family’s reaction.
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after her crash | GETTY
“That definitely was the last thing we wanted to see. It happened quick. So when that happens you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay,” Kildow said.
She described the mounting fear as emergency services arrived on scene.
“It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, that is not a good sign,” she added.
Despite the harrowing circumstances, Kildow confirmed the family remains optimistic about her sister’s recovery.
“We’re just hoping for the best,” she told viewers, her voice reflecting the emotional toll of watching the crash unfold.
Kildow acknowledged that her sister’s participation always carried significant risk, given that Vonn had completely torn her ACL merely a week before the Games began.
Lindsey Vonn crashed while competing at the Winter Olympics with a serious ACL injury | REUTERS
“I know she put her whole heart into it and sometimes, just, like, things happen,” Kildow reflected.
“It’s a very dangerous sport. And there are a lot of variables at play.”
The venue held profound personal meaning for Vonn, who had previously indicated she might not have attempted this comeback elsewhere.
“Honestly, I don’t know if I would have done this if it wasn’t at Cortina,” she had told PEOPLE last month, noting it was where she secured her first World Cup podium in 2004 and later broke the women’s World Cup record.
