Lindsey Vonn's Crash at Crans Montana Disrupts Pre-Olympic Downhill Race and Casts Doubt on 2026 Olympic Participation

During a downhill race held in Crans Montana, Switzerland, just one week before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, American skiing star Lindsey Vonn suffered a significant crash that led to the cancellation of the competition. The event was marred by heavy snowfall that contributed to multiple crashes, including those of three of the first six competitors such as Norway’s Marte Monsen and Austria’s Nina Ortlieb.

Vonn, 41, lost her balance and collided with the safety net alongside the course. Despite grimacing in pain and repeatedly pausing to tend to her knee, she managed to get up and ski down the slope with some assistance. Commentators and observers noted concerns about a possible knee injury, a critical issue considering Vonn’s history. She underwent knee surgery in 2024 after a six-year break from competitive racing, marking her return to the sport.

The downhill race was ultimately canceled after multiple serious crashes, including those of three out of the six top racers, disrupting the pre-Olympic event schedule. This incident has raised worries about Vonn’s ability to participate in the upcoming Olympics, a development viewed as potentially tragic by figures like Kjetil André Aamodt.

Lindsey Vonn is a celebrated athlete with a distinguished record, holding one Olympic gold medal in downhill from the 2010 Winter Olympics, a bronze from 2018, and an impressive total of 84 World Cup victories throughout her career. The crash and race cancellation have cast a shadow over her hopes of competing successfully at the 2026 Games.

As the Olympic Games approach, Vonn’s health and participation remain uncertain, drawing significant attention from the skiing community and fans worldwide. The incident at Crans Montana serves as a stark reminder of the risks elite athletes face in their pursuit of glory at the highest levels of competition.