Lindsey Vonn is poised to compete in the Olympic downhill event despite a recent injury that could sideline many athletes. After completing her second successful training run on Saturday, March 1, 2025, Vonn is set to race at the Milan Cortina Olympics, just over a week after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. The 41-year-old American finished third in her latest practice session, clocking in at 0.37 seconds behind her teammate Breezy Johnson, who led the run.
Vonn expressed confidence following her performance, stating, “All good,” in an interview with The Associated Press. Her coach, former Olympic champion Aksel Lund Svindal, noted her calm demeanor after the run, suggesting that Vonn feels in control of her situation. “When she’s calm, it means that she knows she’ll have to push harder tomorrow because the rest of the girls will,” Svindal commented. He added that Vonn’s ability to maintain composure is a positive sign ahead of the challenging Olympic downhill race.
Despite her determination, Vonn has been favoring her right leg during jumps, which has occasionally disrupted her balance. Svindal remarked, “It’s the landings that hurt the most,” indicating the physical challenges she faces. Vonn is competing with a large brace on her injured knee, a precaution that she has had to adapt to since her partial titanium replacement surgery in her right knee in 2024.
Vonn’s return to competitive skiing comes after a nearly six-year hiatus from the sport. Her resilience was tested when she experienced a crash during the final World Cup downhill before the Olympics, raising concerns about not only her season but her career. Throughout this period, she remained determined to participate in the Olympics, stating she would ski if at all possible.
During the training sessions leading up to the competition, Vonn placed 11th in her first run on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Although training times can vary widely as athletes do not always exert maximum effort, her performance has shown she can still contend with the best. Svindal mentioned that while the brace affects her aerodynamics, it is not a focus for their strategy; he emphasized the importance of Vonn’s health over her speed.
With a record 12 World Cup wins in Cortina, Vonn has a storied history on this course. As she prepares to race, the skiing world watches closely, eager to see if this legendary athlete can overcome her injuries and add another Olympic medal to her impressive collection.
