Lindsey Vonn suffered a fractured left leg following a severe crash during the women’s downhill final at the Winter Olympics in Cortina, according to the hospital treating her. The American skiing legend fell at high speed after clipping a gate early in her run, prompting immediate medical attention and widespread concern.
The crash occurred when Vonn’s right ski pole struck an outside gate shortly before the first timing point. The impact knocked her off balance, causing her to slam into the snow and tumble down the course. She was treated on-site before being airlifted by medical helicopter to hospital.
At 41, Vonn was attempting to make history by becoming the oldest alpine skier, male or female, to win an Olympic medal. Her appearance in the downhill final was already considered remarkable, coming just nine days after she tore the ACL in her left knee during a World Cup crash.
Following the incident, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team confirmed that Vonn was in stable condition. She was taken to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Cortina, amid early concerns she might need transfer to a larger hospital near Verona. Those fears later eased.
The hospital later confirmed that Vonn underwent an orthopedic operation to stabilize a fracture in her left leg and is being treated by a multidisciplinary medical team. Officials emphasized that while her condition is stable, recovery is expected to be lengthy.
US Ski and Snowboard chief of sport Anouk Patty said Vonn “will be OK” but described the recovery as a process, noting the brutal nature of alpine skiing. Teammate Breezy Johnson, who won gold after a delayed race, shared that Vonn was cheering for her from the helicopter, highlighting her enduring competitive spirit.
