Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn on Sunday was airlifted off a mountain in Italy for the second time since she arrived for the Olympics after she broke her leg during a downhill race.
Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Legendary skier Lindsey Vonn on Sunday was airlifted off a mountain in Italy for the second time since she arrived for the Olympics after she broke her leg during a downhill race.
Vonn, who tore the ACL in her left knee a week-and-a-half ago during a qualifying run for the 2026 Winter Olympics, crashed and broke her leg Sunday, ending her attempt at a comeback to cap her storied career.
The 41-year-old three-time Olympic medalist had retired in 2019 but after undergoing partial knee replacement in April 2024 decided later that year to come out of retirement after testing the knee on the slopes.
"Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians," the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team posted on X after her injury.
Ahead of the race, Vonn, who has had replacements in both knees over the course of her career, said that she was wearing a brace on the left knee and was able to ski despite the torn ACL.
Her coach also noted ahead of Sunday's race that, during practice runs to test the knee, Vonn was not favoring it and appeared to be ready to go.
Sunday's crash was not caused by the torn ACL, but instead happened when she hooked a gate on the course with her arm, spinning off balance and shifting her weight, which caused her to fall and then tumble into the snow, USA Today reported.
After the crash and tumble down the slope, a helicopter could be heard coming to get her, The New York Times reported, as the race paused for about 20 minutes.
"That definitely was the last thing we wanted to see," Karin Kildow, Vonn's sister, said in an interview on NBC. "It happened quick. When that happens, you're just immediately hoping she's OK."
Category: General Sports
