Here's What We Know About Lindsey Vonn's Injury Status After Brutal Crash, Hospital Airlift Week Before Olympics

Just a week out from the Olympic Winter Games opening ceremony in Milan, Italy, skier Lindsey Vonn, who is on an inspiring comeback tour, has suffered a brutal setback.

Vonn says she's now facing "a very difficult outcome."

The 41-year-old injured herself while competing in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

ESPN reports that early in the course, Vonn failed to land a jump and found herself entangled in safety nets. Due to limited visibility on the slopes as well as the nature of Vonn's injury, the rest of the race was cancelled.

What We Know

After receiving medical attention for five minutes, Vonn was able to steady herself using poles, skiing down the rest of the slope, but not without stopping on several occasions to clutch her knee.

Vonn was embraced by teammate Jacqueline Wiles before entering the medical tent. She was later lifted via cable to a helicopter, where she was then taken to the hospital.

International Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann addressed Vonn's accident with reporters at the end of the course. "I know she hurt her knee' I talked to her," he said, per ESPN. "I don't know if it's really heavy and [if] she won't miss the Olympics. Let's wait for what the doctors are saying."

What Vonn Is Saying

Following the crash, Vonn confirmed to social media that she had suffered an injury to her 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," she continued.

"My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it."

Vonn's Medical History

In 2024, Vonn announced that she'd successfully underwent partial knee replacement surgery and would be returning to the sport following 6 years of retirement. Vonn had previously hung up her skis following the 2019 World Championships in Sweden.

Over the course of her career, Vonn, who has competed in four Olympic games and secured 3 medals (one Gold and two Bronze) has suffered several injuries, including a low-level ACL sprain to her right knee in 2007 as well as a torn ACL and MCL in the same knee back in 2014.

She has broken several bones, including her arm and ankle, as well as several fingers.

Vonn's first Olympic race was slated to be the women's downhill on February 8. It remains to be seen if she'll compete