Lindsey Vonn completes Olympic training session days after ACL injury

Olympic gold medalist and American ski star Lindsey Vonn continued to defy the odds Friday when she completed her first training session in women’s alpine downhill, just a week after completely tearing her ACL during a World Cup race.

Vonn, wearing bib No. 10 and a brace on her left knee, completed her race on a day when fog delayed skiers waiting their turn at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

Lindsey Vonn concentrates before an official women’s alpine skiing practice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, February 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Marco Trovati)

The 41-year-old ski champion, who holds a record 12 World Cup victories in Cortina, including six in downhill, was aggressive in her first training session. She narrowly made it through one of the gates, but after crossing the finish line, she celebrated with Team USA teammate Breezy Johnson.

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“Nothing makes me happier! No one thought I would be here,” Vonn wrote in an Instagram post Friday before her race. “But I did it!! I’m here, I’m smiling and no matter what happens, I know how lucky I am. I’m not going to waste this chance. Let’s go!!”

His official training run finished in 1:40.33. Among 15 competitors, Vonn finished her race in ninth place, less than a second behind the lead skier.

Vonn suffered numerous injuries after crashing during a World Cup race in Switzerland on Saturday.

Lindsey Vonn, right, and Breezy Johnson stand in the finish zone during an official women’s alpine skiing practice at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, February 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Giovanni Auletta)

LINDSEY VONN TRAINS WITH A KNEE BRACE AFTER COMPLETE ACL RUPTURE A WEEK BEFORE OLYMPIC RETURN

“I completely tore my ACL. I also have bone bruising, which is a common injury when you tear your ACL, as well as meniscal damage, which we don’t know if it was pre-existing or due to the accident,” she told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.

Soon, Vonn was back on the skis and in the training room.

“I have no doubt that everything will be OK,” Vonn head coach Chris Knight told the Associated Press on Wednesday. “She’s doing box jumps, she’s trying everything, weights and stresses and things like that to see where she’s at and see how she feels and she’s doing well with it.”

Team USA’s Lindsey Vonn skis during women’s downhill training on Day 0 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. The training took place in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on February 6, 2026. (Julien Finney/Getty Images)

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Vonn made a stunning return to the sport last year after nearly six years away from competition. Her return follows a partial titanium arthroplasty inserted into her right knee, which she had carried out in 2024.

She will compete in her first Olympic event in women’s downhill on Sunday. She is also expected to compete in the super-G and the new team combined event.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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