Lindsey Vonn, the legendary American alpine ski racer, just dropped a game-changing one. That’s right, she’s not coming back to the Olympics after breaking her leg during a downhill run. Alan Kildow, the dad of the 41-year-old competitor, verified the decision. This follows the news of Vonn breaking her leg in a crash during practice on Sunday morning. Even so, this incident came as a big and emotional surprise, given the ever-present greatness of her illustrious career.
And she had indeed raced fiercely, with a completely torn ACL in her left knee—torn nine days earlier. Sadly, this determination resulted in a fatal crash. At some point during the event, she clipped a gate and fell off balance, resulting in a compound fracture of her leg. Vonn was airlifted to a hospital in Italy, where she had surgery on her left leg a few days after the accident. The US Ski Team says that, happily, her condition has stabilized.
Vonn’s performance leading into the crash was nothing short of phenomenal. She didn’t make it into the final but in her two downhill training runs, she turned heads and performed exceptionally well. Though scared after her previous accident, medical professionals signed off on her to return to skiing.
Alan Kildow expressed his disbelief at the severity of the crash, stating, “First, the shock and the horror of the whole thing, seeing a crash like that.” He added, “It can be dramatic and traumatic. You’re just horrified at what those kinds of impacts have.”
In light of this incident, Kildow emphasized that there would be “no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.” He hopes this means the end of her competitive career in a sport that can be very cruel. “She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” he remarked.
Vonn holds an impressive record of 84 World Cup victories, including 12 wins in Cortina alone, making her one of the most successful female skiers in history. After almost six years out of competitive skiing and a three-quarters titanium replacement in her right knee, she staged an astonishing return. This season, she finished on the podium in all but one World Cup race this year, securing two World Cup downhill wins.
No matter how honored she is, Vonn will not be at the Olympics anymore, to compete or support Team U.S.A. Kildow reiterated, “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn,” highlighting the seriousness of her injuries and the family’s decision to prioritize her health and well-being.
Kildow affirmed that Vonn would be able to race at a high level just after doing two downhill training runs. This was indicative of how fierce and prepared she was for the competition ahead, right up until her crash. He expressed confidence in her care following the incident, saying, “She’s well cared for … and the USOC and the US Ski team have a very, very top-notch doctor with her.” He wished to comfort fans that there are plenty of supports around Vonn that will be able to help her as she heals.
With her retirement, Vonn’s legacy—the all-time woman’s leader in both victories and World Cup points—will be one of perseverance and excellence in the sport of alpine skiing. Her incredible accomplishments changed the landscape for athletes globally, inspiring generations of competitors on the track and beyond.
