Widely regarded as the greatest female speed skier in the history of the sport, 41-year-old USA olympian Lindsay Vonn suffered a left knee ACL tear only one week before the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Coming off of five years of retirement and a partial right knee replacement surgery, Vonn was set on becoming the oldest person to win an Olympic Alpine medal in the downhill event. Over a decade ago, in 2010, Vonn won gold in the downhill, making her the first American woman to win this event. While fans expected Vonn’s recent injury to end her famed career, her willingness to continue competing in this year’s Olympic games with a tear shocked the world.
“I know what my chances were before the crash, and I know my chances aren’t the same as it stands today,” Vonn said to NBC’s Olympic Media. “But I know there is still a chance and as long as there is a chance, I will try.”
Although many fans thought she would pull out of the races, Vonn did not let a torn ACL stop her. Medically, an ACL tear occurs when the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) connecting the thighbone to the shinbone is ruptured, making it hard to cut or pivot on without a feeling of “give out” which makes a speed skier’s job nearly impossible.
“[Vonn has] dealt with knee injuries in this knee before, so she’s been able to develop mechanisms and strategies,” Orthopedic surgeon Kevin Farmer said to the “Los Angeles Times.” “She probably doesn’t even realize that, but just from years of practicing with a knee that’s not normal, her body has developed mechanisms of firing patterns that allow her knee to have some inherent stability that most people don’t have.”
As many speculated before competition began, Vonn’s Olympic run was not successful. The legendary skier crashed early in her downhill runs, crushing her hopes of earning her fourth Olympic medal. Vonn lost control, cutting the line too tight and plummeted down the hill. She was heard screaming before medical trainers surrounded her, strapped her to a gurney, and flew her to a nearby hospital where she had emergency surgery to stabilize her fractured left leg.
“While yesterday did not end the way I hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused,” Vonn later posted on her Instagram after the crash. “I have no regrets.”
Vonn’s experience highlights one story of what seems to be a rising number of newsworthy ACL tears in recent years. The average annual injury rate grew by 25.9% per 1000 athlete exposures. ACL injuries now represent more than 14% of all injuries involving the knee.
Many Bulldogs have had to go through or are currently going through an ACL injury, including varsity soccer defender Chayse Bradshaw and varsity basketball center Emma Spizuoco. Like Vonn, these athletes have had to face the emotional and physical hurdle caused by this surprising injury.
“It is honestly a very tough mental battle and can be a very draining injury,” Bradshaw said. “I get tired from some simple activities that I normally wouldn’t. It can be really hard going from practice three days a week to strictly physical therapy appointments.”
ACL recovery typically takes nine to twelve months to fully get back into competitive play for sports. These athletes go from sprinting and dodging at practices every day to not struggling to walk. The mental toll taken on these athletes is not easy and often overlooked. In fact, studies show that 47% of patients with ACL reconstruction were found to meet the criteria for Depressive Disorder.
“My first game back felt just like any other but just a year later.” Spizuoco said. “I was a little nervous but mostly grateful to be on the court again after all the hard work it took me to get there. It gave me an answer to all my why’s in recovery and gave me the feeling of accomplishment I had been working for.”
Vonn’s injury hits close to home for many athletes here at Stone Bridge, as numerous athletes can relate to the competitive setback. Even though Vonn’s injury was significant, her greatness as a female Olympian will continue to motivate athletes for years to come.
