Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a harrowing crash during the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday.
Reports indicate she was airlifted off the course for medical evaluation.
Vonn lost control after landing a jump in deteriorating visibility and heavy snow, skidding sideways into the safety netting. Her airbag deployed upon impact. She remained in the area for several minutes, clutching her left knee in pain, before medical staff assisted her.
Despite the agony, Vonn managed to ski slowly to the finish area, stopping multiple times, and was then harnessed and airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.
“Lindsey Vonn fell in the Crans Montana downhill and is being evaluated,” the U.S. Ski Team reported. They have provided little in the way of details at this time.
The race was ultimately canceled due to unsafe conditions, and multiple other competitors also crashed early.
Here is video confirmation of Lindsey Vonn being airlifted to the hospital after her crash.
— Team USA Olympics Updates and Coverage (@TeamUSAOLYCov) January 30, 2026
Heartbreaking. #FISAlpine | #WorldCupCransMontana pic.twitter.com/Ck2oNc9lff
Vonn Airlifted After Harrowing Fall, Vows Olympic Comeback One Week Before Milan-Cortina Games
In a glimmer of hope, Vonn took to social media to give an update to her many fans.
“I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams,” she wrote. “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback.”
“My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it.”
Multiple people crashed, and many of these competitors are expected to head to the Olympics. Why didn’t they cancel the event due to the conditions sooner?
“Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received,” added Vonn. “Sending my best to [Norwegian skier Marte Monsen], who also had a major crash and injury today.”
Monsen was dragged off the slopes on a stretcher. She was bloodied and bruised. I mean, what the hell is going on over in Switzerland?
Casque arraché, visage en sang… La chute terrifiante de Marte Monsen
— Sports Infos (@Sports_Infos_) January 30, 2026
😲😲
Ski alpin – Si la chute de Lindsey Vonn inquiète, celle de Marte Monsen a glacé le sang de tous les spectateurs présents à Crans-Montana.
➡️➡️https://t.co/CKzE8jir9H pic.twitter.com/Xen8GAXV6Q
READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn Wows Fans With Bikini Photos Ahead of Winter Olympics
Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist and winner of 84 World Cup races—including the 2010 Olympic downhill gold—retired in 2019 but announced her comeback late last year.
She underwent a partial knee replacement in April 2024, a procedure that played a key role in her decision to return.
Vonn has stated that the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games, particularly the Cortina venue, inspired her return, noting she “wouldn’t even try this if it wasn’t in Cortina.”
She very recently showed off her bikini body during a snowy stay in the Swiss Alps. We thank her for that.
Vonn’s resurgence has been impressive. She recently won the women’s downhill at the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Zauchensee, Austria, and placed second in the super-G in Tarvisio, Italy, finishing behind Lara Gut-Behrami.
She also set a record as the oldest female World Cup podium finisher at age 40 last March in Sun Valley, Idaho.
On Monday, Vonn was officially named to the U.S. roster for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, set for February 6-22 (with some events beginning February 4).
Let’s hope this knee injury doesn’t prevent her from competing.