Lindsey Vonn plans Olympic comeback despite ACL injury
Three-time Olympic medalist Lindsey Vonn discusses her plan to compete in the Winter Olympics despite tearing her ACL. Sports medicine expert Dr. Rick Lehman examines his opportunities and the risks involved, noting his mental toughness.
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Olympic gold medalist and American alpine ski racer Lindsey Vonn continued to struggle on Friday when she finished her first women’s race after tearing her ACL in the World Cup race.
Vonn, wearing the No. 10 and braces on his left knee, he successfully completed his run on a day when fog delayed skiers waiting their turn at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
He seemed to have no limitations during training, although he occasionally strayed and almost missed some of the gates. Vonn went down the 1.6-mile track in 1:40.33 and crossed the all-important finish line.
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Lindsey Vonn of the United States in the women’s downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center on Feb. 6, 2026, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photos by Eric Bolte/Imagn)
The 41-year-old skier, who holds a record 12 World Cup wins in Cortina, including six in the downhill, looked aggressive in his first practice session.
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An ACL tear usually sidelines an athlete for up to a year, but Vonn is still determined to manage the injury and compete. He explained the difficulty on Friday, writing to X that the critical knee ligament is “100% gone.”
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in the women’s downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Center Feb. 6, 2026, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Photos by Michael Madrid/Imagn)
“My ACL was fully functional until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s impossible. And yes, my ACL is 100% torn. Not 80% or 50%. 100% gone,” Vonn wrote.
Vonn revealed the injury a day after posting a video of herself hitting the gym with a barbell. He had a partial right knee replacement in 2024, emphasizing a long history of knee problems.
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in the finish line during the women’s downhill training at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Tofane Alpine Skiing Center Feb. 6, 2026, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images)
Vonn celebrated with USA teammate Breezy Johnson after Friday’s game but declined to comment. Asked if he was “good?” he answered simply, “Yes.”
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The women’s downhill starts on Sunday and Vonn is expected to be in the first gate.
“I know my chances before the accident, and I know my chances are not the same as today, but I know there is still a chance. And as long as there is still a chance, I will try,” he told reporters on Tuesday at the Cortina Curling Stadium.
Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.
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