American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn suffered a dramatic crash during her final World Cup downhill race before the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, casting serious doubt over her participation in the prestigious event. The incident occurred on Friday at the Crans-Montana course in Switzerland, where deteriorating weather conditions forced organisers to abandon the competition entirely.
Dramatic Incident on the Slopes
The 41-year-old Olympic champion lost control after landing a jump on the upper section of the course, skidding sideways into safety netting as steady snowfall reduced visibility significantly. Vonn's protective airbag deployed upon impact, and she remained on the piste for several moments while medical staff attended to her.
Although Vonn eventually managed to stand and ski away from the crash site, she did so with considerable difficulty. Observers noted she repeatedly took weight off her left leg, using her poles for support and stopping several times during her descent to check her knee. At the finish area, she was met by teammate Jacqueline Wiles, with the two sharing an emotional embrace before Vonn limped into a medical tent for assessment.
Helicopter Evacuation
The situation escalated when Vonn was airlifted from the finish area by helicopter, suspended by rope as she was transported across the Swiss Alps landscape. This evacuation method, while standard for serious mountain incidents, highlighted the potential severity of her condition.
Race Abandoned Amid Dangerous Conditions
Race officials made the decision to cancel the downhill shortly after Vonn's crash, with three of the first six skiers having fallen in the challenging conditions. The course had already been shortened due to weather concerns before the competition began.
Austrian skier Nina Ortlieb crashed in the same upper section as Vonn but managed to ski away, while Norway's Marte Monsen hit the nets near the bottom of the course and required stretcher evacuation with facial injuries.
Visibility Issues Raised
French skier Romane Miradoli, one of the few competitors to complete her run, highlighted the dangerous conditions. "You can't see, and it's bumpy everywhere," she stated. When questioned about whether conditions were dangerous, Miradoli added: "We just couldn't see well."
Olympic Participation Now in Question
The timing of this incident could not be more critical, occurring exactly one week before the opening ceremony of the Milano Cortina Games. Vonn is scheduled to compete in the women's downhill on 8th February, along with the super-G and the new team combined event.
The women's alpine events will be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, a venue where Vonn has enjoyed remarkable success throughout her career, achieving a record twelve World Cup victories. Any injury at this stage represents a significant concern for both the United States team and Olympic organisers, who have promoted Vonn as one of the standout stars of the Games.
Current Form and Past Injuries
Vonn has been in exceptional form this season, leading the World Cup downhill standings with five podium finishes from five races, including two victories. Her performances have marked an extraordinary return to elite competition following a partial knee replacement on her right leg less than two years ago and a six-year retirement period.
This latest incident revives memories of a career punctuated by serious injuries. Vonn tore ligaments in her right knee during a high-speed crash at the 2013 world championships, requiring similar airlift evacuation. She suffered further damage the following season, forcing her to miss the 2014 Sochi Olympics. Throughout her career, she has also sustained broken arms and legs, along with concussion injuries.
Legacy and Achievements
Despite these numerous setbacks, Vonn remains one of the most decorated skiers in history. She claimed Olympic downhill gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, eight years after making her Olympic debut as a teenager in Salt Lake City. Alongside teammate Mikaela Shiffrin, she stands among the most successful female World Cup racers of all time.
Friday's race in Crans-Montana was intended to be the final competitive downhill before Olympic training commences next week, with the first official downhill training run scheduled for Wednesday. A spokesperson for US Ski and Snowboard confirmed that Vonn was undergoing evaluation following the fall, with her Olympic participation now hanging in the balance.
