Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Scary Olympic Crash, Comeback in Doubt

A long-awaited Olympic comeback turned frightening on Sunday when ski legend Lindsey Vonn suffered a violent crash during the women’s downhill at the Winter Olympics in Cortina.

The 41-year-old American lost control early in her run after taking the opening traverse too tightly on the steep Olympic course. She was launched into the air, spinning before slamming back onto the snow. As medics rushed to her side, Vonn could be heard screaming that she couldn’t remove her skis.

Medical crews quickly surrounded her, strapped her onto a gurney, and airlifted her off the mountain by helicopter. The stunned crowd fell silent — then rose to its feet, applauding as the yellow helicopter lifted off.

According to the Associated Press, a mandatory safety air bag deployed beneath Vonn’s racing suit during the crash, likely helping reduce the impact. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team later confirmed she was in stable condition and receiving care from American and Italian doctors.

The crash came just nine days after Vonn ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during what was supposed to be her final World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland — a grim twist in what had already been an injury-plagued comeback.

The women’s downhill resumed about 20 minutes later and was won by Vonn’s U.S. teammate Breezy Johnson, the reigning world champion.

“I hope it’s not as bad as it looked,” Johnson said afterward. “Lindsey has accomplished so much and lives in a different echelon than I do. But to have your name alongside hers is really something special.”

Johnson also told reporters that Vonn’s coach relayed a remarkable detail: Vonn was cheering for her teammates from inside the helicopter.

Vonn’s return to competition had been one of the biggest storylines heading into these Games. She retired in 2019 after years of knee injuries, then stunned the ski world by announcing a comeback in 2024, even undergoing a partial knee replacement to extend her career.

One of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, Vonn owns 84 World Cup victories — second only to fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin, who holds the all-time record with 108.

Whether Sunday’s crash marks the end of Vonn’s storied career remains unclear. For now, the ski world is holding its breath — and saluting one of the sport’s fiercest competitors, whose courage has never been in doubt.