CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn, the famed U.S. alpine skier, suffered a severe crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday and underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize a broken left leg, officials and hospital sources confirmed.
The 41-year-old was competing despite a recent serious knee injury and lost control early in the race, clipping a gate before crashing hard on the course at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Medical personnel attended to her at the scene before she was airlifted by helicopter to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, where surgeons operated to address fractures in her left leg. Vonn is reported to be in stable condition.
Vonn’s crash occurred just seconds into her run and brought her Olympic downhill bid to an abrupt end. The U.S. Ski Team said she was being treated by a multidisciplinary team of American and Italian doctors.
Teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal in the women’s downhill, securing the United States’ first gold of the Milan-Cortina Games.
Officials have not released detailed statements about Vonn’s long-term recovery or whether the injury will end her competitive career.
Sources
Associated Press
Reuters
People
