Olympic gold medalist and alpine skier Lindsey Vonn could use some good news, and she got some on Wednesday, February 4. Of course, it’s been a difficult week for Vonn, and one that almost kept her from competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. So, the positive news brings a sigh of relief.
On Friday, January 30, the alpine ski racer suffered a scary crash incident during a World Cup race in Switzerland, which resulted in an injury. “I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee,” Vonn shared on social media after the incident. “I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams.”
She added at the time, “This is a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there’s one thing I know how to do, it’s a comeback. My Olympic dream is not over. Thank you for all of the love and support. I will give more information when I have it.”
Well, on Tuesday, February 3, Vonn announced that she’s going ahead with the competition and will appear in the 2026 Winter Olympics. It’s a bold move, but we would expect anything less from an Olympian.
“I’m still here. I think I’m still able to fight. I think I’m still able to try. And I will try as long as I have the ability to, I will not go home regretting not trying,” Vonn said. “I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate.”
Lindsey Vonn Gets Extra Time to Recuperate After Injury and Crash
Here’s where the good news comes in. Heavy snowfall forced Milan Cortina Games organizers to cancel the opening women’s downhill training session that was originally scheduled for Thursday, February 5, which gives a much-needed break for Vonn as she takes more recovery time from her ruptured ACL.
So, Vonn gets more time to heal, and that’s a blessing. It’s thanks to Mother Nature, as seven inches of snow have fallen on the Olympia delle Tofane course this week, and there’s more snow happening overnight into Thursday in Cortina d’Ampezzo, making the course too dangerous for the initial run.
“Due to the ongoing snowfall and the forecast for tomorrow the DH training 1 is canceled,” organizers said in an official statement on Wednesday, February 5.
Thursday was going to be the first of three training sessions. There are two more scheduled for Friday and Saturday ahead of Sunday’s downhill race, and at least one of those has to happen before the race can begin, according to the official rules.
Canceled Event is a Gift for Lindsey Vonn and Her Team
Vonn and her team were actually hoping for Thursday’s practice to be canceled to give her more time to recover, so they’re truly getting what they wish. Vonn is scheduled to participate in the downhill and super-G events.
“I have not deviated from my plan. I’ve been determined,” she said in her announcement about competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. “Normally in the past, there’s always a moment where you break down and you realize the severity of things and that your dreams are slipping through your fingers.”
She added, “But I didn’t have that this time. I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m gonna do it, end of story. So I’m not letting myself go down that path. I’m not crying. My head is high, I’m standing tall, and I’m gonna do my best, and whatever the result is, that’s what it is. But never say I didn’t try.”
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Lindsey Vonn Gets Good News Before Winter Olympics appeared first on Heavy Sports.