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Lindsey Vonn. Image via: Doug Pensinger/ Getty Images
Lindsey Vonn is refusing to step away from her Olympic dream. Just one week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, the American ski legend inspected the Olympic downhill course in Cortina on Friday.
She joined other racers only hours before the first official training session. At 41, Vonn is still chasing another gold medal at the Milan Cortina Winter Games, showing the same determination that defined her long career.Vonn plans to race with a large protective brace on her injured knee. Since her crash last week in Switzerland, she has made it clear she will not give up. Many athletes would see such an injury as season-ending or career-ending.
Vonn sees it as another challenge. Her presence on the course alone sent a strong message to rivals and fans around the world.
Lindsey Vonn defies her ACL injury and recovery time in Milan Cortina Games 2026
ID@undefined Caption not available.Lindsey Vonn shared her emotions on social media after arriving in Cortina. She said being there filled her with joy and disbelief. She admitted that very few people would have expected her to stand on the Olympic course again. Still, she made it. With the sun finally breaking through after days of bad weather, Vonn said she felt grateful, happy, and proud just to be present.
She added that she would not waste this rare opportunity and was fully focused on going after her goal.Her comeback story is already remarkable. In 2024, Vonn underwent surgery that included a partial titanium replacement in her right knee. Despite that, she returned to World Cup racing last season after nearly six years away from the sport. Luast Friday, during the final World Cup downhill before the Olympics in Crans-Montana, she crashed heavily.
Vonn had to be airlifted off the mountain, raising fears that her Olympic hopes were over.
Later that same day, she reassured fans online that her dream was still alive.Weather delays have added more pressure. Heavy snowfall forced the cancellation of Thursday’s opening training session. That left only two training runs, on Friday and Saturday, before Sunday’s downhill race. Vonn was scheduled to ski with bib number 10, making her the tenth athlete down the course during Friday’s training.Cortina holds special meaning for Vonn. She owns a record 12 World Cup victories on this famous slope. Despite her age, injuries, and setbacks, she continues to push forward.
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English (US) ·