Lindsey Vonn broke down in the downhill race at the Milano Cortina Games after tearing her ACL

American skier Lindsey Vonn knocked seconds off his Olympic downhill race on Sunday after deciding to compete despite tearing his left ACL in a crash during a World Cup event in the Swiss Alps last week.

This American man, 41, who came out of retirement to compete 2026 Winter Olympicspreviously confirmed that he had completely torn his ACL, but said he felt confident he could still finish the race with the help of a knee brace.

A few seconds into the race, Vonn lost control after she appeared to clip the flag marking the side of the course, flew sideways in the air and hit her head on the ground. He answered but did not get up. Medical staff put him on a stretcher and airlifted him to the course.

After the crash, Vonn could be heard screaming that she couldn’t get her skis off.

Vonn had family in the stands, including her father, Alan Kildow, who stared down as his daughter was treated. Others in the crowd, including Snoop Dogg, watched in silence as the star skater was finally led off the field where he had so many happy memories.

Thomas Pronske of Austin, Texas, who was watching the event from the sidelines, told CBS News after the accident: “I hope he’s OK. It didn’t look good. We saw him explode a little bit and I’m praying and I wish him the best… He was a big reason why I’m here. It’s just amazing to have his victory story back, I was able to overcome … a painful injury … and I hope he’s okay.”

Maria Pronske, Thomas’ mother, who said she was so inspired by Vonn that she came to see the event with a damaged knee on her birthday, told CBS News that she “felt bad for him with his knee … Poor guy. I feel sorry for him. I’m praying for him too.”

Crista Kosher, a cousin of Jacqueline Wiles, another Team USA skier, said she was “very upset to see her teammate being lifted off the hill.”

“Lindsay and Jacqueline have been running together for years and years and years now, and they definitely have a mentor relationship, and seeing a friend go down is really challenging for everyone, but we wish Lindsay the best in her recovery,” Kosher said.

Charles Christianson, a retired ski racer from Park City, Utah, said the accident was “very sad.

“Everyone is here to cheer on the entire American team and especially to celebrate Lindsay’s amazing career. This is very sad, but it’s true, Lindsay wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Christianson. “He knew the risks. Ski racers always accept and you saw the determination when he came out of the gate. He was charging. There was never a doubt in his mind what he was going to do and it was going to be a podium or a bust and it goes both ways. So again, the respect of the crowd and everyone here shows how important he is to this sport. We will see what will happen. But we will have his desire.

Before Sunday’s race, one Team USA official said that Vonn’s crash during the race was their biggest fear. Given all of his attention and his inspiring story, the image of him being kicked off the plane mid-race was their worst case scenario.

Before retiring in 2019, Vonn had competed with a torn collateral ligament, three tibia fractures and a bone injury, and still won a bronze medal. He now has one titanium knee, although that is not the injured joint.

“Just getting to these Olympics has been a journey, and some would not have believed it from the beginning,” Vonn said in a social media post late Saturday. “I retired for 6 years, and because of a minor knee replacement, I got the chance to compete one more time. But why? Everyone seems to be asking me that question. But I think the answer is simple… I just love to run on ice.

“I’m not sure about life outside of sports. I don’t want attention or attention or money. I know exactly who I am and I know exactly what I’m made of,” he said.

Vonn set the third-fastest time in Saturday’s practice run, ahead of the race – behind teammate Breezy Johnson – although the run was halted due to inclement weather before all runners could take part.

“I think it’s a good run,” said Vonn’s coach, Aksel Lund Svindal. “Tomorrow is the race and it’s the Olympics and the girls will be pushing hard. So everyone will probably go faster, which means Lindsey will also need to speed up. But it’s a strong run, but I think she has one more gear.”

Johnson ran ahead of Vonn and finished the run in just over 1:36.