After a triumphant return from retirement, skiing legend Lindsey Vonn faces her biggest challenge yet: competing in the Olympics just one week after rupturing her ACL. At 41, can she defy medical odds and make history?
Lindsey Vonn, a three-time Olympic medalist and winner of 84 World Cup races, made a stunning comeback from a six-year retirement in November 2024, despite widespread skepticism due to her age (41) and a history of severe knee injuries. Defying expectations, she quickly re-established herself as a top skier, achieving podium finishes in all five World Cup downhill races this Olympic season and seizing the season-long leader's bib. However, just one week before the Milano Cortina Olympics, Vonn suffered a complete ACL rupture in her left knee during a crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Despite this severe injury, Vonn, known for her incredible resilience and fearless approach, has continued to train, showing promising speeds in downhill training runs. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, noted her 'symmetrical' skiing and toughness. While some medical professionals questioned the pre-existing state of her knee, Vonn vehemently denied any prior compromise. With her career marked by overcoming pain and pushing limits, all eyes are now on Vonn as she attempts to make history by becoming the oldest Olympic alpine skiing medalist in Cortina, a venue where she holds a record 12 World Cup victories. Her participation represents a profound 'reckoning with time itself,' showcasing her unwavering decision to face the risks and challenges of the sport head-on, regardless of the cost.
