Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery on a broken leg in an Italian hospital on Sunday after her daring bid to win Olympic downhill gold despite tearing knee ligaments ended in a frightening crash after 13 seconds.
The 41-year-old suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a fall during a World Cup match in Crans-Montana just a week ago, but was determined to compete in Sunday’s event at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center.
Vonn, who was the 13th person to start, clipped the gate just seconds into the run and ran off the track, silencing the Cortina crowd.
Vonn remained on the ground for about 15 minutes before being airlifted off the course, and the audience cheered as the helicopter flew over.
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Vonn was involved in an accident a few days before the start of the tournament and was airlifted to the hospital.
Bong was being treated at Ca’ Fontcello hospital in northern Treviso after being strapped to a medical stretcher and pulled from the sunny Olimpia delle Tofane slopes in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
“In the afternoon, she underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the remaining fracture in her left leg,” the hospital said in a statement.
Vonn’s battle to get to the starting line despite a serious injury to her left knee dominated the opening day of the Milan-Cortina Olympics, only to see her unlikely adventure come to an end as she screamed in agony on the snow.
Vonn’s family was in the stand, including her father, Alan Kildow, who stared at the ground as his daughter received treatment.
She was surrounded by medical personnel before being strapped to a stretcher and flown away by helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s storied career.
Vonn collides with gate during women’s downhill skiing
The American fell hard into the snow.
All eyes were on Bonn as it was a fun story leading up to the Olympics. She returned to elite ski racing last season after nearly six years off the circuit and also had a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee.
She underwent surgery in April 2024 and is feeling great and has decided to try again for the Olympics.
She quickly became a candidate and surprised everyone. She entered the Olympics as the top of the World Cup downhill standings and was a gold medal favorite until her fall in Switzerland nine days ago.
The accident on the eve of the Olympics left her with a difficult task just to get to the starting line. However, Vonn successfully completed two practice runs on the Cortina course on Friday and Saturday and was wearing a brace on her injured knee, with coach Axel Lund Svindal feeling she was “good enough” to challenge for a medal.
But her hopes for a fairy-tale comeback were dashed once again by another horrific accident.
Teammates pay tribute to ‘leader’ Vonn
Vonn was hoping for a fairytale comeback at the Olympics (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)
Vonn’s fellow American Breezy Johnson won the title, but some of her first thoughts were about her teammates.
“I will miss her dearly. I hope it’s not as bad as it seems,” she said.
“I know how difficult it is to ski this course and because I love this course so much, when I crash and hurt like that, it can hurt even more.”
Another teammate, fourth-place finisher Jacqueline Wiles, spoke of Vonn’s influence on the team.
She said, “I’m still processing a lot after what happened with Lindsay. She seems pretty hurt. So I’m really happy and proud of Breezy and my heart hurts for Lindsay.”
“We are a very close-knit group and Lindsey is a really big mentor to all of us.
“Nothing will change her legacy. She’s a fighter and that’s how she goes out and skis every time.”
Johan Elias, president of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS), called Vonn’s fall “tragic”.
“This race was the talk of the Olympics and shined our sport in the best light, so we can only thank her for everything she has done for our sport.”
“I hope she recovers quickly and can get back to skiing soon.”
Asked if some people thought Vonn shouldn’t have been allowed to race with her injury, she added: “Well, they don’t know Lindsay, that’s all I can say.”
Isabella Wright, the fourth member of the American team, felt that Vonn “deserved a better ending than that.”
She said, “It was really heartbreaking. Jackie (Wiles) and I were at the top so we saw it live. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, especially my teammates and Lindsay.”
“I always say, ‘If anyone can do that, it’s Lindsey.’ No matter what it is, no matter the situation, she’s very strong. We’re going to support her as much as we can.”
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, said she was putting her “heart and soul” into racing at the Olympics, especially on her favorite course.
“That was definitely the last thing we wanted to see,” she told NBC. “As soon as something like that happens, you just hope she’s okay, but it was very scary.
“She was very brave and gave it her all.”
