Lindsey Vonn Confident of Olympic Return Despite ACL Rupture
American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has declared she remains confident about competing at the upcoming Milano Cortina Winter Games, despite revealing she has been managing a completely ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The 41-year-old made the announcement during a press conference in Milan on Tuesday, addressing concerns following a crash last week that cast doubt over her Olympic participation.
Injury Revelation and Olympic Ambitions
Vonn disclosed that she suffered the ACL rupture during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana last Friday, where she crashed into the netting and injured her left knee. This comes less than two years after she underwent a partial replacement on her right knee. Despite this significant setback, Vonn emphasised her determination to line up for the Olympic downhill in Cortina d'Ampezzo, where the women's alpine programme opens on Sunday.
"I have to take it day by day," Vonn stated. "My goal is obviously right now the downhill. I have to see how it feels – if it's stable and I feel confident, I'll continue to race. That is my goal. But I can't tell you that answer until I actually ski 85 miles an hour."
Recovery Process and Mindset
Since the crash, Vonn has been undergoing extensive medical assessments, including scans and physical testing, while monitoring swelling and muscle response. She highlighted that her overall fitness remains at 100%, though acknowledged her body is not fully recovered. "As long as my swelling is down and my muscles are firing, my strength is what it was a few days ago," she explained.
The injury management underscores the challenges Vonn has faced in the final phase of her career, but she remains resolute. "I'm not letting this slip through my fingers," Vonn asserted. "I'm gonna do it, end of story. 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 you can never say I didn't try."
Historic Comeback and Cortina Significance
Vonn is entered in multiple events at the Olympics, including the downhill, super-G, and the new team combined event. Cortina holds particular significance for her, as she has recorded a record 12 World Cup victories on the Italian course throughout her illustrious career.
Her comeback season has been nothing short of remarkable. After nearly six years away from competition and following major knee surgery, Vonn returned to the World Cup circuit this season, immediately reestablishing herself among the elite. She leads the World Cup downhill standings with five podium finishes from five races, including two wins. Prior to her return, the oldest woman to win a World Cup race was 34.
Reflecting on her journey, Vonn expressed gratitude for the opportunity to compete again. "I never thought this was possible," she said. "This is all icing on the cake. I don't want to have any regrets. I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate."
Upcoming Schedule and Final Decision
Training for the Olympic downhill is scheduled across three sessions in Cortina later this week, with the medal race set for Sunday. Vonn's final decision on participation will depend on her ability to test her knee at race speeds, emphasising a cautious yet hopeful approach as she aims for what could be a historic Olympic appearance.
