Lindsey Vonn crashes in downhill race at Milano Cortina Games

American skier Lindsey Vonn crashed during her downhill race at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Games on Sunday, just seconds after the start. Vonn, who had returned from retirement to compete, had previously ruptured her left ACL in a World Cup event in the Swiss Alps the week before. Despite the injury, she had expressed confidence in her ability to race with the aid of a knee brace. The crash occurred when Vonn clipped a flag marking the course boundary, causing her to fly sideways and hit her head on the ground. She was responsive but required medical attention and was airlifted from the scene. Spectators watched in silence as the incident unfolded, with many expressing concern for her well-being. Vonn's coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, had noted her strong performance in a training run the day before, suggesting she had the potential to improve her time during the actual race. Prior to her retirement in 2019, Vonn had competed with numerous injuries, including a torn lateral collateral ligament and multiple fractures, yet still managed to win a bronze medal. Her return to the sport has been driven by her passion for ski racing, as she stated in a social media post, emphasizing her love for the sport and her certainty about her identity and capabilities.