Lindsey Vonn suffers serious leg injury in Milan-Cortina Olympics downhill

The 41-year-old American ski star underwent surgery in Treviso after a crash during the Olympic downhill event on February 8

Lindsey Vonn suffers serious leg injury – Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic run at Milan-Cortina lasted just over 13 seconds. The 41-year-old American skiing champion suffered a severe crash during the women’s downhill on February 8, ending her race in dramatic fashion.
Vonn was initially airlifted to Cortina’s Codivilla Hospital for stabilization before being transferred to Treviso, where she underwent surgery for a displaced fracture to her left leg.
The accident occurred on the first jump of the course. Vonn lost balance and fell, with her skis remaining attached and pivoting on the ground, worsening the impact. The American had entered the start gate with a weakened left knee, affected by an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained just days before the Games.

A veteran of 12 victories on the Olimpia delle Tofane course, Vonn had chosen to compete despite the recent injury, marking what is likely her final Olympic appearance. In the days leading up to the event, she had shown full competitiveness in timed practice runs and responded on social media to doubts about her readiness and injury status.
The incident sparked renewed debate about whether the preexisting knee injury contributed to the fall. During the same downhill, Andorran skier Cande Moreno also crashed near the finish and was airlifted for treatment.
Analysis of images from the event revealed a key detail in Vonn’s fall. A photo taken just before the fatal jump showed her right arm caught in a gate, acting as an unintentional lever. At high speed, the rotation propelled Vonn into the air, preventing her from regaining control of her skis. Because the skis did not detach, her legs were anchored in an unnatural position, resulting in a serious new injury.
“Lindsey Vonn has sustained an injury but is in stable condition and is receiving excellent care from the American and Italian medical teams,” the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team confirmed. Later in the evening, Treviso Hospital provided further details regarding the surgery on her left leg.

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(Photo: © AndKronos)