Lindsey Vonn Returns to Olympic Training Following Injury

Updated on: February 6, 2026 / 7:24 AM EST / CBS News

Milan, Italy — American skiing sensation Lindsey Vonn hit the slopes at the Winter Olympics on Friday, marking her return to official competition following a severe injury. Vonn, who had ruptured her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a crash in the Swiss Alps during a World Cup race a week prior, participated in the women’s downhill skiing training event.

Initially scheduled for Thursday, the downhill training was postponed due to adverse weather conditions but proceeded on Friday after a brief delay. Despite her recent injury, Vonn successfully completed the training run without any visible complications. Her debut in the competitive Olympic events is set for Sunday when the women’s downhill race takes place.

At a news conference on Tuesday, Vonn shared her determination, stating, “I haven’t cried. I haven’t deviated from my plan.” Reflecting on her injury, she continued, “Normally, in the past, there’s always a moment where you break down and realize the severity of things and that your dreams are slipping through your fingers. But I didn’t have that this time. I’m not letting this slip through my fingers. I’m gonna do it. End of story.”

Her fellow U.S. alpine skiers, observing Vonn’s resilience, communicated their confidence in her ability to compete despite her setback. “If anyone can come back from this, if anyone could do it, it’s Lindsey,” stated Team USA skier Isabella Wright, while training with colleagues in Cortina’s northern Italian Dolomites, the venue for the alpine events.

Teammate Breezy Johnson remarked, “If it’s your last Games, and you know, already probably have a lot of knee damage, then there’s not that much to lose.” Jacqueline Wiles, who has skied alongside Vonn, described her as a “tough” competitor. “I think any time you’re injured, trying to fight through that injury while you’re still competing, while the season’s going on, it definitely can get in your head,” Wiles noted. “But she’s been through it more than anyone.”