American skier Lindsey Vonn left empty-handed from the downhill race on Sunday at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, following a horrific crash just meters after her start in the final, which was won by her compatriot Breezy Johnson who narrowly beat Germany’s Emma Aicher to claim the gold medal.
The 41-year-old had hoped to secure her fourth Olympic medal despite suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee just over a week earlier.
Vonn screamed in pain after her terrifying crash before she could even complete the first section of the course, as her medical team gathered around her lying in shock on the slope.
Vonn’s face hit the hard snow just 13 seconds after her start, before she tumbled down the slope with her skis still attached to her feet, which may have caused further damage to her left knee.
After a wait, Vonn was transported via sled to applause from the spectators in the stands.
The president of the International Ski Federation, who was watching the race, said Vonn’s crash was “tragic, but unfortunately part of ski racing,” adding, “I can only thank her for what she has given to our sport, because this race was the talk of the Games and showed our sport in the best possible light.”
He continued, “I hope she recovers quickly and returns to skiing very soon. Many will say she should not have competed today with such an injury. The decision, of course, was ultimately hers.”
First Gold for Johnson
Her teammate, the 2025 world champion Breezy Johnson, covered her face in shock as she sat in the leader’s chair, just 0.04 seconds ahead of Germany’s Emma Aicher—a result that held until the end. The 30-year-old thus secured her first Olympic title in her second Games appearance, after her first in 2018 where she placed 14th in the Super-G and seventh in the downhill.
Johnson finds herself in an unfamiliar position, as she has never won a World Cup race, but is now a world and Olympic champion in her preferred discipline.
The victory was huge for Johnson, who was forced to miss the last Winter Games in Beijing 2022 due to a knee injury, and also served a 14-month suspension in May 2024 for non-compliance with whereabouts obligations as part of anti-doping rules.
Italy’s Sofia Goggia came in third, 0.59 seconds behind Johnson, in a race that also saw a violent crash by Andorra’s Candie Moreno, who also required sled transport to the hospital.
Cortina d’Ampezzo
Cortina d’Ampezzo is a renowned resort town in the Dolomites of northern Italy, historically part of the Holy Roman Empire and later the Republic of Venice. It gained international fame as the host of the 1956 Winter Olympics and remains a premier destination for skiing, alpine sports, and tourism.
Italy
Italy is a country in Southern Europe with a rich cultural history that dates back to the Roman Empire, which was one of the largest and most influential civilizations of antiquity. It later became the birthplace of the Renaissance, a period of immense artistic and scientific flourishing, and today is renowned for its vast contributions to art, architecture, cuisine, and fashion.
Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics is an upcoming international multi-sport event scheduled to be held in the Italian cities of Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo. This marks the fourth time Italy has hosted the Olympic Games, following previous events in Cortina (1956), Rome (1960), and Turin (2006). The Games aim to utilize venues across northern Italy, including historic sites from the 1956 Olympics.
Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre
The Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre is a major ski area in the Dolomites, Italy, most famous for hosting the women’s Alpine skiing events during the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Its iconic slopes, such as the Olympia delle Tofane course, have been a regular World Cup venue for decades, built upon a long tradition of mountaineering and skiing in the region.
United States
The United States is a federal republic founded in 1776 after declaring independence from Great Britain, with its modern government established by the Constitution in 1789. Its history encompasses westward expansion, the Civil War, industrialization, and its emergence as a global superpower in the 20th century. The nation is defined by its diverse population, democratic ideals, and significant cultural and economic influence worldwide.
Germany
Germany is a country in Central Europe with a complex history, having been a collection of states for centuries before unifying in 1871. It was a central power in both World Wars, was divided into East and West Germany during the Cold War, and reunified in 1990 to become a leading economic and political force in the European Union. Its rich cultural heritage includes contributions to philosophy, music, science, and industry.
Beijing 2022
Beijing 2022 refers to the XXIV Olympic Winter Games, which were held in Beijing and the neighboring Yanqing and Zhangjiakou zones in February 2022. This made Beijing the first city ever to host both the Summer (2008) and Winter Olympic Games, highlighting China’s significant investment in winter sports infrastructure.
Andorra
Andorra is a small principality located in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, traditionally believed to have been founded by Charlemagne. Its unique co-principality system, with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell as joint heads of state, was formalized in 1278 through a feudal charter known as the *Pariatges*.
