Downhill skiing is one of the fastest and most dangerous events in the Winter Olympics. It became a part of the Olympic Games in 1948, and has been a major winter olympics event ever since. In downhill skiing, skiers race one at a time against the clock on a long, steep course that can be up to 2 miles long. Athletes often reach speeds of 80 miles per hour or more while skiing over icy terrain, wide turns, and large jumps. Unlike other skiing events, Olympic downhill usually allows only one timed run, so there is no second chance if a mistake or error is made. Due to these attributes, the downhill ski is often regarded as a very difficult event where injuries are a known risk.
Lindsey Vonn’s Career and Achievements
Lindsey Zvon is widely considered one of the greatest alpine ski racers of all time. During her career, she won 82 world cup races and earned four World Cup titles.She also won eight downhill titles and captured an Olympic gold medal in downhill ski racing at the 2010 Vancouver Games, along with a bronze medal in Super-G. Vonn competed at a very high level for more than a decade despite suffering several serious injuries. She retired in 2019 due to knee problems but returned this year at the age of 41 to partake in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
2026 Crash
During the women’s downhill race in Milan, Vonn crashed shortly after starting the race. She clipped a gate while she was skiing at tremendously high speeds causing her to lose her balance and lose her control. Medical teams responded immediately, and she was quickly airlifted to the nearest hospital for treatment. Doctors confirmed that she suffered a complex fracture in her left tibia and a tear in her ACL. She also developed compartment syndrome, a serious condition caused by swelling that can block blood flow. The quick actions by medical teams helped prevent more severe damage, however this crash marked the end of her 2026 Milan stint. She is currently doing a lot better, and doctors have reported that it will take months for the bones to heal. Her recovery time will take up to a year, depending on her progress. With a strong medical and physio therapy team she should be fine!