Fans held their breath as Lindsey Vonn, the most successful female skier of all time, took a hard fall toward the end of her downhill training run in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on Thursday. The 40-year-old American, who recently made a comeback to the sport after retiring nearly six years ago, appeared to lose control on the Olympia delle Tofane course, the site of next year’s Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
A Promising Start Ends in a Tumble
Vonn looked strong out of the gate, attacking the challenging Cortina track with her signature aggressive style. She smoothly navigated the course’s technical sections and glided over its rolling terrain, demonstrating the speed and skill that have made her a legend in the sport.
However, misfortune struck in the final stretch as Vonn lost her balance and tumbled to the snow. The crowd gasped as the Olympic champion slid to a stop, her run abruptly cut short just seconds from the finish line.
Shaken but Not Deterred
In a testament to her resilience, Vonn quickly got back on her feet and skied down to the finish area under her own power. She was visibly shaken by the incident and entered a medical tent for evaluation and treatment of any potential injuries.
This latest setback comes as Vonn mounts her highly anticipated return to professional ski racing. The winningest female skier in World Cup history initially retired in 2019 after a string of severe injuries but shocked the skiing world by announcing her comeback last year at age 40, complete with a titanium knee replacement.
Gearing Up for Redemption
Despite the fall, Vonn is unlikely to let this training mishap dampen her competitive fire. Just last weekend, she finished an impressive fourth in the super-G event in St. Anton, Austria, proving she still has the speed to contend with the world’s best.
Cortina d’Ampezzo holds a special place in Vonn’s heart, as she has claimed a record 12 World Cup victories on the Olympia delle Tofane course throughout her illustrious career. With the 2026 Winter Olympics set to take place on this very slope, the American icon undoubtedly has her sights set on leaving one final mark on the sport she has dominated for so long.
Lindsey is a true champion and a fierce competitor. A fall like this might rattle someone else, but I have no doubt she’ll bounce back stronger than ever. She’s not done making history yet.
– U.S. Ski Team Coach
The Road Ahead
As the ski racing community anxiously awaits an update on Vonn’s condition, all eyes will be on her next move. Will she be able to shake off this training setback and charge back into contention? With her unmatched determination and fighting spirit, it would be unwise to bet against the legendary Lindsey Vonn.
The Cortina d’Ampezzo World Cup downhill races are slated for later this week, and fans around the globe will be hoping to see Vonn back in the starting gate, ready to show the world that she’s still a force to be reckoned with on the mountain she has conquered so many times before.
Despite the fall, Vonn is unlikely to let this training mishap dampen her competitive fire. Just last weekend, she finished an impressive fourth in the super-G event in St. Anton, Austria, proving she still has the speed to contend with the world’s best.
Cortina d’Ampezzo holds a special place in Vonn’s heart, as she has claimed a record 12 World Cup victories on the Olympia delle Tofane course throughout her illustrious career. With the 2026 Winter Olympics set to take place on this very slope, the American icon undoubtedly has her sights set on leaving one final mark on the sport she has dominated for so long.
Lindsey is a true champion and a fierce competitor. A fall like this might rattle someone else, but I have no doubt she’ll bounce back stronger than ever. She’s not done making history yet.
– U.S. Ski Team Coach
The Road Ahead
As the ski racing community anxiously awaits an update on Vonn’s condition, all eyes will be on her next move. Will she be able to shake off this training setback and charge back into contention? With her unmatched determination and fighting spirit, it would be unwise to bet against the legendary Lindsey Vonn.
The Cortina d’Ampezzo World Cup downhill races are slated for later this week, and fans around the globe will be hoping to see Vonn back in the starting gate, ready to show the world that she’s still a force to be reckoned with on the mountain she has conquered so many times before.
