Vonn crashes in last race before Winter Games but says ‘My Olympic dream is not over’

American Alpine skiing star Lindsey Vonn shared an encouraging update for her fans just hours after suffering a knee injury during the women’s downhill World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

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The 41-year-old, who had to be airlifted to hospital for evaluation, wrote on her Instagram account admitting: “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.”

Vonn then added: “My Olympic dream is not over.”

The “Speed Queen” thanked fans for “the love and support”, and praised the medical staff, saying: “I am grateful for all the incredible help I received.”

The skier, who will undergo further exams and promised to share more information when available, concluded: “It’s not over until it’s over… ❤️💪”

Vonn’s U.S. teammate Mikaela Shiffrin commented on her post, saying: “If anyone can do this, it’s you 🙏🙏 ”

Lindsey Vonn being airlifted after the crash. Pic: Olympics.com

Vonn was among three racers who crashed during the race. She also sent her best wishes to Norway’s Marte Monsen, who had to be taken off the course on a stretcher with a visible bruise to her face after skiing out and hitting the penultimate gate.

With just days to go before the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, Vonn, suffered a heavy crash on Friday (January 30) during the women’s downhill World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.

The 41-year-old, who was wearing the discipline leader’s red bib, slammed into the safety nets just seconds into her run after a bad landing following the compression on the Mont Lachaux course.

Vonn remained down for several minutes, tangled in the net, before getting back to her feet. She appeared in discomfort as she slowly skied down to the finish area, stopping to clutch her left knee.

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She was warmly greeted by the crowd as she limped into a medical tent, clearly grimacing in pain. Vonn was later airlifted to the hospital, while US Ski and Snowboard posted that she was being ‘evaluated.’

The US skier was the third racer to crash after only six athletes had been down the course. Earlier, Austria’s Nina Ortlieb crashed in the same section as Vonn, while Norway’s Marte Monsen finished in the nets after missing the second-to-last gate.

Shortly afterwards, the jury decided to cancel the race due to low visibility and unsafe conditions. The organisers confirmed that the women’s programme will continue on Saturday with the Super-G race, starting at 11:00.

The Crans-Montana event unfolded in a subdued atmosphere, with the skiing community paying tribute to the victims of a New Year’s Day fire. Advertising was removed from the course, and white and black signs reading “Our thoughts are with you” in multiple languages were displayed.