‘My heart hurts for you’ - Breezy Johnson leads tributes to Lindsey Vonn following Milano Cortina crash
Published 08/02/2026 at 18:52 GMT
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Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the women’s downhill in dramatic circumstances at the Olympic Winter Games nine days after rupturing her ACL in a World Cup event. The American skier was airlifted to hospital with compatriot Breezy Johnson going on to take the gold. Johnson was one of many to pay tribute to her team-mate, while IOC president Kirsty Coventry also sent her best wishes to Vonn.
Vonn 'risked too much' as experts react to American star's 'horrible' downhill crash
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lindsey Vonn’s comeback Olympic Winter Games ended with the American great airlifted off the Cortina slopes after she crashed in the downhill event.
Vonn had ruptured her ACL nine days previous but was always clear that she was going to race in what was widely expected to be her last Games.
But her fairytale return ended in a dramatic crash, with the crowd and her fellow skiers visibly shocked at how events unfolded.
Her competitors were quick to pay tribute to Vonn as she was taken to a nearby hospital.
"I wish you all the best and I hope to see you back," said gold medalist and compatriot Breezy Johnson, who had completed her run before Vonn started.
"What you have already accomplished is so much, it is incredible, and my heart hurts for you and I wish you all the best."
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Watch: Vonn suffers big crash to end downhill hopes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Johnson was joined by fellow American Isabella Wright in sending wishes to Vonn.
"Lindsey, you are one of the most amazing people and I am so sorry that today didn’t work out," Wright said after finishing 21st.
"I wanted more for you, everybody wanted more for you but the fact that you even came back and attempted this and gave it your all and prepped the best you could, that is inspirational for myself and for everyone.
"I’m here for you no matter what, sending you all my love."
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Vonn had already come back from serious injuries in her career, missing the Sochi Games in 2014 after suffering a torn ACL and MCL along with a tibial fracture in 2013.
She called time on ski racing at the start of the 2019 season before making her sensational return following a partial knee replacement.
Having already undergone so much, the ruptured ACL suffered in Switzerland nine days ago made a bid for an Olympic medal improbable - although many experts still tipped Vonn for a podium finish.
But in the end, it was one race too far for the American. And while another comeback seems unlikely at this stage, Norwegian racer Kajsa Vickhoff Lie is not ruling it out on behalf of one of the most successful skiers of all time.
"She doesn’t have an ACL and she also has a fake knee, so I don’t know what else there is to actually get through," Lie said.
"So, hopefully she can shake it off and come back, but then she is a superhuman…"
Vonn's crash also prompted IOC president Kirsty Coventry to send a heartfelt message on social media, with the former swimmer summing up the feelings of most in the village.
"Dear Lindsey, we are all thinking of you. You are an incredible inspiration and will always be an Olympic Champion."
The US ski and snowboard team later confirmed that Vonn was in a "stable" condition.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.
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