American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a serious crash during the women’s downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The fall happened just seconds into her run and left spectators and her family in shock.
Vonn, 41, chose to compete despite ongoing knee problems. Before the race, she acknowledged the risks but said she believed in herself and wanted to give everything she had in what was expected to be her final Olympic downhill appearance.
During the race, she clipped a gate while airborne and lost control. She crashed hard onto the course and was clearly in pain. Due to the severity of the fall, she was airlifted from the mountain to hospital for immediate medical care.
After the accident, Vonn’s sister spoke publicly, describing the moment as frightening. She said the family’s main concern was her safety, especially when emergency teams rushed onto the course with stretchers.
Doctors later confirmed that Vonn underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg. Her team said she is now in stable condition and receiving expert care. While the crash ended her Olympic return in a heartbreaking way, many fans and teammates praised her courage and lasting legacy in the sport.