Lindsey Vonn, the renowned American skier, faced a troubling turn in her Olympic preparations when she crashed in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, during the final downhill event before the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The incident occurred amid challenging racing conditions, including low visibility and snowfall, and has raised questions about her participation in the upcoming Games.

The crash happened during the World Cup race when Vonn, positioned as one of the favorites, lost control while landing a jump. In a dramatic moment, she careened into safety nets, leading to immediate medical attention. After a brief evaluation on the slope, Vonn managed to ski gingerly to the finish line while visibly favoring her left knee.

As the race was subsequently canceled after multiple crashes involving other competitors, Vonn's condition remained the primary concern. She was assisted to a medical tent before being airlifted by helicopter for further evaluation.

Vonn expressed her thoughts in an Instagram post, stating, "I crashed today in the downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. 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."

With the women's downhill event scheduled for February 8, 2026, there is growing anxiety about whether Vonn can recover in time. This season marked an impressive return for her, as she had already secured two wins and podium finishes in seven out of eight World Cup races while competing after a partial titanium knee replacement.

Vonn's storied career has included various injuries and comebacks; this latest incident is reminiscent of her past challenges, including a significant knee injury in 2013 that resulted in her missing the Sochi Olympics. As spectators and fans await updates on her health, the skiing community is hopeful for another remarkable return from one of its greatest athletes.