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US’ Lindsey Vonn is transported by helicopter after crashing in the women’s downhill event during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 8, 2026.

Lindsey Vonn broke her silence a day after her frightening Olympic crash, firmly rejecting any link between the accident and her previously torn ACL and offering a candid, emotional explanation of what went wrong during the women’s downhill at the Milan Cortina Olympics.

In a lengthy post shared on Instagram, the American skiing icon said the crash stemmed from a razor-thin technical error — not her knee — and reaffirmed that she has no regrets about returning to the Olympic stage.

Lindsey Vonn Says ACL Had ‘Nothing’ to Do With Olympic Crash

GettyLindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women’s Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

“My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever,” Vonn wrote, addressing speculation that her recent ligament tear contributed to the violent fall that ended her Olympic bid.

Vonn explained that she misjudged her line by a matter of inches, a margin that can mean everything in downhill ski racing.

“Because in downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches,” she wrote. “I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulting in my crash.”

The explanation marked Vonn’s first public comments since she was airlifted from the Cortina d’Ampezzo course by helicopter, an image that stunned fans and competitors alike.

Olympic Dream Ends Without Fairy-Tale Finish

Vonn, 41, acknowledged that her Olympic comeback did not end as she had envisioned, but framed the experience as a reflection of both sport and life.

“Yesterday, my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would,” she wrote. “It wasn’t a storybook ending or a fairytale, it was just life.”

A three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, Vonn returned to competition after undergoing a partial knee replacement in 2024. Her rapid comeback and decision to race despite a recent ACL rupture made her one of the most closely watched athletes of the Games.

Sunday’s downhill ended abruptly when she lost control early on the course, went airborne and crashed hard, remaining down for several minutes before medical crews evacuated her.

Vonn Reveals Tibia Fracture, Multiple Surgeries Ahead

GettyLindsey Vonn of Team United States crashes during the Women’s Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on February 08, 2026 in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. (Screengrab by IOC via Getty Images)

In her post, Vonn also confirmed the severity of the injury she sustained in the crash, providing the clearest update yet on her medical status.

“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly,” she wrote.

Hospital officials in Italy have previously said Vonn underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture and emphasized that her life was not in danger. No timetable has been announced for additional procedures or recovery.

‘Standing in the Gate Was a Victory’

Despite the physical toll, Vonn said she would not change her decision to race, describing the moment she stood in the starting gate as a triumph in itself.

“Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget,” she wrote. “Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.”

Vonn acknowledged the inherent danger of downhill skiing, a discipline where speeds exceed 80 mph and mistakes are punished instantly.

“I also knew that racing was a risk,” she added. “It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport.”

Message of Risk, Resilience and Perspective

Vonn broadened her message beyond the crash, using the moment to reflect on risk-taking in life as well as sport.

“And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life,” she wrote. “We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken. Sometimes we don’t achieve the dreams we know we could have.”

She closed with a defiant note of self-belief and encouragement to others.

“I tried. I dreamt. I jumped,” Vonn wrote. “I hope if you take away anything from my journey it’s that you all have the courage to dare greatly. Life is too short not to take chances on yourself. Because the only failure in life is not trying.”

Focus Shifts to Recovery After Olympic Scare

Vonn’s statement provided clarity amid more than 24 hours of uncertainty and debate following one of the most harrowing moments of the Winter Games. By directly addressing the cause of the crash and revealing the extent of her injury, she reclaimed control of the narrative surrounding her Olympic return.

For now, the focus turns from the slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo to the long road of recovery ahead — and to the enduring legacy of an athlete who insists that daring to try, even at great risk, was a victory all its own.

SOURCE: https://heavy.com/sports/olympics/vonn-denies-acl-role-olympic-crash/