Lindsey Vonn on Serious Knee Injury: "I will not lose hope"

Lindsey Vonn tore her ACL in a crash at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, January 30, 2026, in a downhill World Cup race preceding the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

The 41-year-old ski racing legend confirmed the news in a solemn, yet hopeful, social media post on Tuesday, February 3rd:

“Well… I completely tore my ACL last Friday. I also sustained a bone bruise (which is a common injury when you tear your ACL),” writes Vonn. “…plus meniscal tears, but it’s unclear how much of that was there previously and what was new from the crash.”

Despite the injury, Vonn says she’s “capable” of skiing in the Women’s Downhill at Cortina on Sunday, February 8th:

“After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday.

“I am confident in my body’s ability to perform. Despite my injuries my knee is stable, I do not have swelling and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should,” writes Vonn.

Keep reading for more on this developing story.

The 2026 POWDER Photo Annual is here! Look for a print copy on a newsstand near you, or click here to have a copy shipped directly to your front door.

View this post on Instagram

Vonn’s post has been flooded with support from teammates, professional athletes, and super-fans. “Thank you to everyone who has reached out and supported me. I feel the love and it is giving me strength,” Vonn ends her post.

Vonn will need to complete one training run, as required by the rules, and will continue to be evaluated by her medical team leading up to Sunday’s Downhill.

POWDER will continue to cover this developing story. Stay tuned here for skiing news, stories, and results throughout Milan Cortina 2026. We’ve got you covered.

Related: Gold Medal Hopeful Jessie Diggins Speaks Out Ahead of Winter Olympics