Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy – Lindsey Vonn, the prominent American alpine skier, is preparing to participate in her first Olympic downhill training session despite a recent knee injury. Vonn, 41, suffered a torn ACL in her left knee just a week ago, yet she remains resolute in her goal to compete in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
Course Inspection and Training Schedule
On Friday morning, Vonn, along with her fellow competitors, attended the inspection of the Olympic downhill course in Cortina d'Ampezzo. This inspection was part of her preparation for the opening training session, which had been canceled the previous day due to heavy snowfall. The training schedule now calls for two more practice runs before Sunday's final descent.
The Friday session will begin at 11:30 AM local time (10:30 GMT / 5:30 AM ET). While the exact time for Saturday's session has yet to be announced, Vonn will be assigned bib number 10. She is expected to push her left knee to its limits during a simulated race, which will serve as a trial run in preparation for the Olympic competition.
Injury History and Recent Return to Racing
Lindsey Vonn has a well-documented history of knee injuries, having undergone a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee in 2024. After nearly six months of rehabilitation, Vonn made a successful return to competitive skiing, demonstrating both resilience and a fierce commitment to her sport.
Despite the new ACL injury to her left knee, Vonn’s determination to compete at the 2026 Winter Games has been unwavering. She has consistently displayed an ability to recover and return to form after severe injuries throughout her career. The upcoming training runs will be crucial in determining her readiness to compete at the highest level, as she strives to make a strong comeback following this latest setback.
Outlook for the 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Games are fast approaching, and Vonn's presence on the Olympic slopes would mark an incredible achievement in her storied career. Although the road to recovery has been challenging, Vonn's resilience and preparation have placed her in a strong position to make her mark once again at the highest level of alpine skiing.
