United States skier Lindsey Vonn was at the center of one of the most shocking images of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Sunday, after she suffered a violent fall during the women's downhill held on the Tofana course at the Dolomites resort. The 41-year-old skier had to be evacuated by helicopter and her participation in the Olympic event came to an abrupt end.
The accident occurred in the upper part of the course, in the first of the five sections of the route, when Vonn lost control after a jump and fell with extreme force. The race was interrupted immediately and, minutes later, the multi-time champion was transported to a nearby hospital for medical evaluation.
The impact caused particular concern because of Vonn's delicate physical condition. The American competes with a titanium right knee and, just a week ago, she had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, in addition to a meniscus injury, during a World Cup event in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Despite this, she decided to compete anyway in the Olympic Games.
Considered one of the greatest legends of alpine skiing, Vonn has accumulated 84 World Cup victories, 45 of them in downhill, as well as eleven medals, including Olympic gold in Vancouver 2010 and two world titles. After returning to competition following five seasons in retirement, she had managed to win again this very season.
