Lindsey Vonn Determined to Race at Milan Cortina Olympics After Serious Knee Injury
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she is "confident" in her ability to compete at the upcoming Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, which commence this week, despite suffering a significant left knee injury just four days ago. The 41-year-old athlete sustained the damage during a crash in a downhill event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, last Friday, resulting in her being airlifted for medical attention after ending up in the safety nets.
Severe Injury Details and Recovery Efforts
On Tuesday, Vonn revealed the extent of her injury, stating she "completed ruptured" her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), along with bone bruising and meniscal damage. However, after undergoing three days of intensive physical therapy and consulting with medical professionals, she took to the slopes on Tuesday with a protective brace on her knee. Vonn reported that her knee "feels stable, it feels strong," and emphasized her determination to race, vowing to "do everything in my power to be in the starting gate."
Olympic Schedule and Vonn's Planned Events
The Milan Cortina Winter Olympics are set to begin with the opening ceremony on Friday, with Vonn's first race scheduled for Sunday in the women's downhill. She also intends to participate in the super-G and the new team combined event. The opening women's downhill training session is planned for Thursday, providing a critical test for Vonn's recovery. As one of the most anticipated stars of the Games, her participation adds significant excitement to the event, especially in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, where she holds the World Cup record with 12 wins.
Vonn's Remarkable Comeback and Season Performance
Vonn's potential Olympic appearance follows a stunning comeback last season at age 40, after nearly six years away from competitive ski racing. This season, skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she has dominated the circuit as the leading downhiller, achieving:
- Two victories in World Cup races
- Three other podium finishes in five downhill events
- Podium placements in seven out of eight completed World Cup races, including super-G, with her worst finish being fourth
Her Olympic legacy includes three medals: gold in downhill and bronze in super-G from the 2010 Vancouver Games, and bronze in downhill from the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. Vonn's resilience and skill continue to inspire fans and athletes alike as she faces this latest challenge on the world stage.
