Lindsey Vonn says she is ready to race at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics — even after learning that a violent crash four days ago left her with a fully ruptured ACL.
Speaking Tuesday, Vonn revealed the extent of the damage to her left knee: a complete ACL tear, bone bruising, and meniscal damage. Still, after three days of intensive physical therapy and consultation with doctors, the 41-year-old American skied again — and walked into a news conference without a visible limp.
“My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday,” Vonn said.
She did not downplay the stakes.
“So this is not obviously what I had hoped for. I know what my chances were before the crash and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today,” she said. “But I know there’s still a chance. And as long as there’s a chance, I will try.”
“I will do everything in my power to be in the starting gate.”
Vonn crashed during a World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, slamming into safety nets before skiing to the bottom of the course. She was taken to a hospital shortly afterward, where scans confirmed the severity of the injury.
The timing could hardly be more dramatic. The Winter Games begin this week with the opening ceremony on Friday, and Vonn’s first scheduled race — the women’s downhill — is set for Sunday. She also plans to compete in super-G and the new team combined event, with downhill training slated for Thursday.
Teammate Bella Wright said Vonn’s mindset may be her greatest weapon.
“If anyone can do it, it’s Lindsey,” Wright said. “She has a strong mental state.”
Vonn is no stranger to pain or improbable returns. Over a career defined by speed and resilience, she has endured repeated crashes and major injuries — and come back anyway. Last season, at age 40, she stunned the ski world by returning after nearly six years away from competition, racing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee.
This season, she has been nothing short of dominant. Vonn leads the downhill standings with two victories and three additional podium finishes in five races. Including super-G, she has finished on the podium in seven of eight World Cup races, with her worst result a fourth-place finish.
“This would be the best comeback I’ve done so far,” Vonn said. “Definitely the most dramatic.”
Women’s skiing at the Olympics will take place in Cortina — a familiar and historic venue for Vonn, who holds the World Cup record there with 12 career wins.
Already a three-time Olympic medalist — gold in downhill and bronze in super-G in 2010, and bronze in downhill in 2018 — Vonn now faces perhaps the greatest test of her career. Not just of strength or skill, but of belief.
And for Lindsey Vonn, belief has always been enough to start the race.
