U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn was airlifted with a knee injury on Friday after a crash in her final race ahead of the opening ceremony for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics on Feb. 6.
"I crashed today in the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I am discussing the situation with my doctors and team and will continue to undergo further exams," Vonn wrote in a statement shared to Instagram on Friday.
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team confirmed the news on X, writing in a statement that Vonn "fell in the Crans Montana downhill and is being evaluated."
In her Instagram statement, Vonn said the incident was "a very difficult outcome one week before the Olympics… but if there's one thing I know how to do, it's a comeback."
"My Olympic dream is not over," she added.
According to The Associated Press, Vonn lost control while landing a jump at the top of the course and became tangled in the safety nets. She received medical attention for nearly five minutes before she was able to slowly ski to the finish line, the AP reported.
Vonn subsequently received medical attention at a tent on-site and was then airlifted by a helicopter.
Vonn was the third person to crash in the Crans-Montana World Cup race, per the AP, and the race was eventually canceled due to poor conditions.
The three-time Olympic medalist came out of retirement in 2024 to rejoin the U.S. Ski Team, six years after her most recent Olympics.
In her message Friday, Vonn thanked the public "for all of the love and support."
"I will give more information when I have it," she added. "Thank you to all the medical staff who helped me today. I am grateful for all the incredible help I received."
Vonn said she was also sending her best to 26-year-old Norwegian skier Marte Monsen, "who also had a major crash and injury today."
