- Lindsey Vonn gate-crashed early in the Olympic downhill and was airlifted off the course.
- Doctors brace for a crack in her odd leg after a pinch surgical process in Italy.
- The crash overshadowed Breezy Johnson’s gold laurel wreath for Team USA.
Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic downhill came to a crushing end on Sunday in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The American ace crashed only seconds into her run and never reached the finish.
Vonn was lifted from the Olimpia della Tofane course after a red fall about 13 seconds after the scratch. Medics rushed to her side as she lay motionless in the snow.
The U. S. The Ski & Snowboard Team confirmed Vonn sustained a trauma. The functionary said she was stable and receiving care from American and Italian doctors.
The incident astonished athletes, devotees, and spreaders at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Cheerfulness quickly turned into muteness as the rescue unfolded.
Crash Sends Vonn to Hospital for Emergency Surgery
According to the Associated Press, Vonn was first of all brought to a clinic in Cortina. The doctor later transplanted her to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso.
Hospital officials said a multidisciplinary aesculapian squad was formed by Vonn. The surgeon executed an orthopedic procedure to stabilize a fracture in her left-hand leg.
The clash was unrelated to the ACL harm Vonn suffered eight days earlier. That trauma occurred during the final World Cup downhill before the Olympics.
During Sunday’s race, Vonn hooked the quaternary gate with her proper limb. The impingement threw her off balance at high speed.
She tried to recover but fell behind control. Her skis separated, her weight transferred backwards, and she tumbled headlong into the snow.
Vonn remained on the course for nearly 13 hours. Medic carefully trains her for air transport.
About 18 minutes after the crash, a helicopter sneaked off. The crowd applauded as it piloted toward Cortina.
Emotional Reactions From Teammates and Officials
The rigorousness of the crash shook Vonn’s teammate. Respective athletes struggled to hold back tears after witnessing the fall.
Breezy Johnson, who afterwards won amber, got across her eyes at the close. She said the emotional annoyance outweighed the strong-arm toll.
“I can’t ideate what she’s feeling mighty instantly, ” Johnson pronounced. “This sport can be viciously cruel. ”
Johnson unwrapped that Vonn cheered for her from the whirlybird. The consequence brought assorted emotions during the decoration ceremony.
U. S. teammate Bella Wright described the crash as equally sudden and unavoidable. She pronounced that Vonn carried huge speed into the turn.
International Ski Federation president Johan Eliasch called the incident tragic. However, he cautioned against blaming Vonn’s prior knee injury.
“Lindsey knows her body and her limits,” Eliasch said. “Accidents happen in ski racing.”
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, watched from the course. She said seeing stretchers appear was terrifying.
“She dared greatly and gave everything,” Kildow said. “We just hope she’s okay.”
Breezy Johnson Wins Gold as Race Turns Historic
Despite the somber mood, the race delivered a historic result for Team USA. Breezy Johnson captured gold with a time of 1:36.10.
The victory marked Johnson’s first Olympic medal. It was also the first U.S. women’s downhill medal since 2014.
Germany’s Emma Aicher claimed silver. Italy’s Sofia Goggia took bronze in front of the home crowd.
American Jackie Wiles narrowly missed the podium in fourth place. She called the moment bittersweet.
“I’m so happy for Breezy,” Wiles said. “But fourth place hurts deeply.”
Johnson’s win carried special meaning. The same course ended her Olympic dreams in 2022 after a training crash.
This time, she delivered redemption at nearly 80 miles per hour.
Vonn’s Courage Defined Her Final Olympic Run
At 41, Vonn entered what she called her final Olympics. She competed with a partial right knee replacement and a recent ACL tear.
She spent the week in intense rehabilitation. Her knee felt stable during training runs.
Vonn posted the third-fastest time in the final practice before the weather halted the session.
Her determination symbolized her legendary career. She dominated downhill racing earlier this season with five podium finishes.
Sunday’s crash may close the final chapter of her Olympic journey. Yet her legacy remains untouched.
Vonn pushed limits that few athletes dare approach. She raced with courage until the very end. The downhill ended abruptly, but her impact on the sport endures.