Lindsey Vonn’s Courageous Olympic Bid Ends in Heartbreak, Breezy Johnson Claims Gold
The Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics witnessed a dramatic turn of events in the women’s downhill skiing event on Sunday. While American Breezy Johnson soared to victory, claiming the gold medal, teammate Lindsey Vonn’s audacious attempt to medal after a recent ACL injury ended in a painful crash.
Johnson’s Triumph and Vonn’s Valiant Effort
Breezy Johnson’s Olympic title marks a continuation of her impressive form, coming exactly a year after securing world championship gold. Germany’s Emma Aicher followed closely, earning the silver medal, with Italy’s Sofia Goggia taking bronze.
Vonn, 41, had been attempting a remarkable comeback, competing despite a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee sustained approximately a week prior to the event. Her race was cut short after a fall high on the Olimpia delle Tofane piste, resulting in visible anguish and requiring medical attention. She was transported from the course via helicopter.
A Legacy of Resilience
Vonn, a celebrated alpine skiing icon, had previously won Olympic gold in the downhill event in 2010. She had demonstrated strong performance leading up to the games, achieving podium finishes in World Cup races this season. Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, acknowledged the challenging conditions and the need for increased effort from all competitors.
The American skier had retired in 2019 but returned to competition in November 2024 after undergoing surgery to address persistent knee pain. Her recent success included victories in St Moritz and Zauchensee, and additional top-three finishes in Super-G events.
Weather Challenges and Course Adjustments
The women’s downhill training sessions were impacted by challenging weather conditions, including snow and fog. The race jury adjusted the start gate mid-training on Saturday to mitigate the effects of heavy fog.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the gold medal in the women’s downhill?
Breezy Johnson of the USA won the gold medal.
What happened to Lindsey Vonn during the race?
Lindsey Vonn crashed during her run and was transported off the course by helicopter.
What was the condition of the course?
The course was affected by snow and fog, leading to adjustments in the start gate.
Did you know? Jacqueline Wiles of Team USA previously topped a women’s downhill training session in Cortina on Friday.
Explore more coverage of the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics here.
