Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Devastating Crash in Women’s Downhill at 2026 Olympics
Lindsey Vonn’s dramatic Olympic comeback ended in tragedy Sunday after a brutal crash during the women’s downhill event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The 41-year-old skiing legend lost control shortly after launching off a roll near the top of the course, crashing hard just moments into her run.
Vonn, who had torn her ACL just weeks before but insisted on competing after two training runs, remained down on the snow as medics rushed in. A stunned silence fell over the crowd. After several tense minutes, she was airlifted from the slope to receive further medical care.
Her sister, Karin Kildow, visibly shaken, told NBC that Vonn had “dared greatly” and left everything on the mountain. “She just put her whole heart into it,” she said. “It’s really hard to see but we hope she is okay.” Vonn’s family, including her father Alan Kildow and siblings, watched from the finish line.
Vonn’s crash temporarily halted the race, but competition resumed after a 20-minute delay. U.S. Ski & Snowboard officials confirmed she was being evaluated by medical staff, with no further updates on her condition as of Sunday afternoon.
The emotional weight of the moment reverberated through the ski world. Three-time Olympic medalist Mikaela Shiffrin posted a broken heart emoji and prayer hands on X, tagging Vonn. U.S. Ski and Snowboard chief of sport Anouk Patty told reporters, “This sport’s brutal… these athletes are throwing themselves down a mountain really, really fast.”
Despite the heartbreak, Team USA found redemption on the podium. Breezy Johnson, the defending world champion, captured Olympic gold with a time of 1:36.10. Germany’s Emma Aicher claimed silver, while Italy’s Sofia Goggia thrilled the home crowd with bronze. American Jackie Wiles just missed the podium, placing fourth.
“This mountain takes everything from you,” said Johnson after her victory. “We can handle physical pain, but the emotional pain — watching someone like Lindsey go down — that’s something else.”
Vonn’s return to the Olympic stage was seen by many as one of the most inspiring comeback attempts in recent history. A gold medalist in 2010 and a bronze medalist in 2010 and 2018, she had nothing left to prove. But she pushed forward anyway.
Now, as her Olympic journey ends in heartbreak, the world waits for news — and prays for healing.