Lindsey Vonn wants to compete at the 2026 Olympics despite a torn cruciate ligament in her left knee. Can the Alpine skiing icon even be successful with her injury? Expert Viktoria Rebensburg gives hope.
“I have full confidence in her! You still have to wait and see what happens in the first training sessions and whether the knee can withstand the stress. If so, then I have full confidence in her that she can ignore everything and deliver on race day,” said Rebensburg at “Eurosport”.
Vonn explained at a press conference on Tuesday that she had torn a cruciate ligament in her left knee during her serious fall during the World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana.
The 41-year-old still wants to take part in the downhill race on Sunday (11:30 a.m.). Vonn left it open whether further Olympic missions would be added. “The goal is the descent. I have to wait and see how it feels. I have to drive 85 miles an hour first, then I can say it,” said the American in this regard.
Alpine skiing: Lindsey Vonn with two victories in the Olympic winter
Between Thursday and Saturday, Vonn can check her fitness status during training at the 2026 Olympics. “How does the knee react? Is it even able to withstand the stress? Is it stable? Then we can look further towards the race and I hope that she is at the start,” said Rebensburg, looking ahead to the exciting days ahead.
Video: Lindsey Vonn wants to defy injury shock
Vonn won the downhill runs in St. Moritz and Zauchensee in the current alpine skiing season and was one of the top favorites for the Olympics before her cruciate ligament tear.
“I’m really sorry for her because she really focused everything on this goal. I would have expected anything, but not a torn cruciate ligament,” said Rebensburg about Vonn’s bad luck with injuries.
At the same time, the 2010 giant slalom Olympic champion is sure: “If you know Lindsey Vonn and know how many injuries and comebacks she has already had in her career – if anyone can handle it, it is Lindsey. There is no other way for her now.”
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