Lindsey Vonn Announces Her Plan For Olympics After Tearing ACL

Lindsey Vonn's Olympic comeback hopes were seemingly dashed when the 41-year-old skier suffered a brutal crash during the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup last Friday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Afterwards, Vonn confirmed she injured her left knee but said she was holding out hope for competing in the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

On Tuesday, the three-time Olympic medalist revealed that she “completely ruptured” her ACL and has bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.” However, Vonn said she still plans to race in Italy.

Vonn remains 'confident' after testing out injured knee

Vonn told reporters she feels "confident" to race in the Olympic downhill Sunday after skiing today with a brace on her knee.

“It feels stable, it feels strong,” she said, via the Associated Press. “I will do everything in my power to be in the starting gate.”

In addition to the downhill, Vonn was planning to ski the super-G and team events, but said her availability for those latter competitions will depend on how she performs in the downhill.

Vonn determined to make the best of current situation

Vonn, who won gold in downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics and has won eight World Championship medals, including a pair of golds, retired from skiing in 2019 due to repeated knee injuries.

In 2024, she announced a comeback with an eye on returning to the Olympics. While she's going to achieve that goal, Vonn admitted her hopes aren't as high as they were before last week's crash.

"This is obviously not what I had hoped for. I've been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position," Vonn said, via NPR. "I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren't the same as it stands today. But I know there's still a chance. And as long as there's still a chance, I will try."