Lindsey Vonn chases downhill gold at Milano Cortina 2026 on a torn ACL, with her coach confident she can medal after a strong training run Friday—Sunday’s race will tell if she grabs the top spot.
Lindsey Vonn keeps defying the odds. At 41, she’s back for her fifth Olympics, gunning for another downhill gold despite a brutal setback. Just one week ago, she crashed in a World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, and tore her left ACL completely, plus meniscus damage and bone bruising. Most skiers would be done for the season. Vonn chose to fight through it with heavy rehab, a big brace, and pure determination.
Her Emotional Drive to Race
Before hitting the snow Friday, Lindsey Vonn shared her raw feelings on Instagram, capturing the joy and stakes of the moment.
“Nothing makes me happier! No one would have believed I would be here… but I made it!! I’m here, I’m smiling and no matter what, I know how lucky I am. I’m not going to waste this chance,” alongside a photo of her ready at the start gate.
That post, which drew waves of support from fellow athletes, showed her mindset: gratitude mixed with fierce resolve, turning doubt into fuel for the fight ahead.
The Training Run That Kept Hope Alive
She tested everything Friday on the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina. Fog delayed the first official training over 30 minutes after Thursday’s session got canceled by snow. Vonn attacked anyway—aggressive start, a tight spot midway where she nearly clipped a gate, but she stayed clean overall. No falls, no obvious limp, no swelling after. She crossed the line smiling, clocking 1:40.33 for 11th place out of 43. Her U.S. teammate Jacqueline Wiles led at 1:38.94.
That run checked the box she needed: at least one official training to qualify for Sunday’s downhill final. It showed her knee held up under speed, boosting real hope for a medal push.
Coach Svindal Sees Gold Potential
Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal—a two-time Olympic gold winner himself—watched every turn. He saw balanced skiing, no big favoring of the injured leg, and calm focus. He told reporters he believes she can medal, saying it’s going to be hard but possible on Sunday because she had reserves left in training and has won big when skiing well this season.
Lindsey Vonn handled the doubters head-on too. Some questioned the injury details or her quick return. She posted clearly: her ACL is 100% ruptured, and what looks impossible can still happen with hard work.
Her History Makes Gold Realistic
Vonn already owns the only U.S. women’s Olympic downhill gold from Vancouver 2010, plus super-G bronze there. She retired in 2019 after years of knee problems but came back strong after partial replacement on her right knee. This season she won World Cup downhills, stood on podiums often, and led the standings before the crash. That form, plus her 12 Cortina wins over the years, keeps her in the conversation.
The Tofane track is tough—steep sections, sharp turns, big jumps, speeds over 80 mph. Weather keeps messing with prep, but Saturday has one more training run. Her team will decide if she does it based on how the knee feels overnight.
Rivals and the Real Challenge
Italy’s Sofia Goggia leads betting odds at around +125 for gold as the 2018 champ with home support. Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami and Germany’s Kira Weidle bring fast recent runs. Teammate Wiles, topping training, adds pressure. Vonn sits second in odds at +600 post-injury—longer than before but still drawing bets because of her grit.
She’s raced hurt in big moments, like super-G bronze in 2018 with a broken arm. The brace helps stability, and she says the knee feels strong. Full race pace is the test—any slip could end it fast.
What Gold Would Mean to Lindsey Vonn
A win would make her the oldest woman to take Olympic alpine gold, add to her legend, and cap one of the greatest comebacks ever. Her coach’s belief, solid training, and track record keep the door cracked open. It’s a long shot with the injury and field, but Vonn thrives on proving people wrong.
Sunday at 5:30 a.m. ET decides it. Win or not, Lindsey Vonn’s run to the start gate already inspires. Gold would turn it legendary.
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