CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — A week after injuring her ACL in the left knee, Lindsey Vonn launched her quest for Olympic gold at 41 with an assertive and successful downhill training run on Friday, just two days ahead of the official race.
Midway down the course, Vonn got a bit tight with her line and barely cleared a gate but led at the final checkpoints. She stood up from her tuck before the finish and placed 11th, as skiers took their first official turns on the Olympia delle Tofane course in preparation for the major race.
“She played it smart. She held back,” commented Aksel Lund Svindal, a former Olympic downhill champion from Norway and one of Vonn’s personal coaches. “She made a mistake near the bottom, but overall her skiing looked solid with minimal risk. Everything appeared balanced.”
At the finish line, Vonn celebrated with fist pumps and a hug from teammate Breezy Johnson, who finished ninth shortly before her, after a nearly hourlong delay due to fog.
“Yep,” Vonn confirmed to The Associated Press when asked if her run went well. She didn’t pause for further comments, opting instead for more rehabilitation on her knee.
Vonn is competing at the Milan Cortina Games with a sizable brace on her knee. Since her crash last week in Switzerland, she has maintained her intention to move forward despite an injury many athletes would deem a season- or career-ender.
“Nothing makes me happier! No one would have believed I’d be here,” Vonn posted on social media before her run. “But I made it!! I’m here, I’m smiling, and I know how fortunate I am. I’m not going to waste this opportunity. Let’s go get it!!”
Vonn finished 1.39 seconds behind American teammate Jacqueline Wiles, who clocked the fastest time and is also a contender for a medal, having achieved two career podium finishes in Cortina.
Given her injury and the performance she displayed in training, can Vonn realistically contend for a medal?
“I believe she can, as there were reserves to draw on today,” said Svindal. “Earlier this season, when she skis well, she can win. Based on what I observed today, I think she has a chance. It will be challenging, but I believe she could possibly bring home a medal on Sunday.”
Vonn underwent a partial titanium replacement in her right knee in 2024 and returned to ski racing last season after nearly six years of retirement. She crashed in the final World Cup downhill before the Olympics in Crans-Montana last Friday and was airlifted from the course, only to later share on social media: “My Olympic dream is not over.”
“We’re all optimistic, and she’s phenomenal,” Svindal said regarding Vonn’s mindset following her crash. “She was the first to say, ‘This is happening, we’re racing.’
Thursday’s opening training session was canceled due to heavy snowfall, leaving one session on Saturday before the Sunday downhill race. Vonn has yet to decide if she will participate in Saturday’s training, according to Svindal. but, having completed one session, she’s eligible to race regardless.
Vonn holds the record for 12 World Cup victories in Cortina.
“This felt like race day to me because it’s crucial,” Svindal noted. “How she feels today will influence her confidence and decision on how aggressively to compete. … You know her history. She’s pushed herself even when told she shouldn’t start, so I have no doubt she’ll go all out come Sunday.”
Svindal admitted he felt more nervous than Vonn during the training run.
“Because this is significant for everyone, right? If it goes well, it’s amazing. If something goes wrong, it’s unfortunate,” he explained. “But she’s been incredibly committed from the start, and she’s convinced this will work.”
