American skier Lindsey Vonn has had surgery on a left-leg fracture after suffering heartbreak in what could be her final Olympic event as she crashed in the women's downhill competition in Cortina.
The 41-year-old was competing just nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee, but hitting the gate with her ski pole on a first jump left Vonn off balance, denying a fairytale ending to a remarkable story.
Vonn was airlifted off the piste to Ca Foncello hospital in Treviso, around 130km from Olimpia delle Tofane in the Dolomites, following lengthy treatment. The hospital issued a statement which said she had orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture she sustained in her left leg - the same leg with the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Earlier, a statement from the United States ski team said Vonn had sustained an injury but was in a stable condition.
The two-time world champion had successfully completed two training runs on the iconic course prior to Sunday's crash. Compatriot Breezy Johnson was in tears as she added Olympic gold to the world title she won last year after clocking a blistering time of one minute 36.10 seconds.
The 30-year-old watched on the big screen at the finish line with her head in her hands when her team-mate crashed, having completed her run sixth, while Vonn was 13th to go.
Another American, Isabella Wright, watched the crash from the top of the slope before having to complete her own run, but said she had hoped Vonn would be able to complete the race despite the ACL injury she sustained nine days ago. If anyone can, Lindsey can. Whatever it is, or whatever the situation, she's very strong. We're going to support her the best we can, she said.
She deserved a better ending than that so I'm heartbroken for her. I hope to see her and just support her. I know she's in good hands right now. [I'm] anxiously waiting to see her.
Germany's Emma Aicher was pipped by 0.04 seconds and took the silver medal, while Italian home favourite Sofia Goggia secured bronze.
Vonn was taking a huge risk by competing on Sunday having suffered the ACL injury in Switzerland in the last World Cup race before the Games, but was determined to take to the course for her favoured event. Stunned spectators applauded towards the helicopter as it carried her away from the piste which has brought her so much success - with 12 of her 84 World Cup wins coming here.
Vonn had been unsure what her knee was capable of withstanding but had targeted the downhill - saying she would try no matter the outcome - while also being entered in the super-G and team events. It is now unlikely she will compete in those, meaning her Olympic career has almost certainly come to a devastating end.
Earlier in the week, Vonn appeared relaxed and confident. Her coach Aksel Lund Svindal had expressed optimism about her performance. The work that we put in, obviously my heart aches for her, Johnson said. It's a tough road and it's a tough sport - that's the beauty and the madness of it. It can hurt you so badly but you keep coming back for more.
This crash has cast doubt on Vonn's future in the sport as she has battled through numerous injuries and made a surprising return in 2024 after a partial right knee replacement. Attendees and fellow competitors are left processing the emotional impact of this event, as Vonn's risk-taking epitomizes the high stakes of elite skiing.
The 41-year-old was competing just nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee, but hitting the gate with her ski pole on a first jump left Vonn off balance, denying a fairytale ending to a remarkable story.
Vonn was airlifted off the piste to Ca Foncello hospital in Treviso, around 130km from Olimpia delle Tofane in the Dolomites, following lengthy treatment. The hospital issued a statement which said she had orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture she sustained in her left leg - the same leg with the torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Earlier, a statement from the United States ski team said Vonn had sustained an injury but was in a stable condition.
The two-time world champion had successfully completed two training runs on the iconic course prior to Sunday's crash. Compatriot Breezy Johnson was in tears as she added Olympic gold to the world title she won last year after clocking a blistering time of one minute 36.10 seconds.
The 30-year-old watched on the big screen at the finish line with her head in her hands when her team-mate crashed, having completed her run sixth, while Vonn was 13th to go.
Another American, Isabella Wright, watched the crash from the top of the slope before having to complete her own run, but said she had hoped Vonn would be able to complete the race despite the ACL injury she sustained nine days ago. If anyone can, Lindsey can. Whatever it is, or whatever the situation, she's very strong. We're going to support her the best we can, she said.
She deserved a better ending than that so I'm heartbroken for her. I hope to see her and just support her. I know she's in good hands right now. [I'm] anxiously waiting to see her.
Germany's Emma Aicher was pipped by 0.04 seconds and took the silver medal, while Italian home favourite Sofia Goggia secured bronze.
Vonn was taking a huge risk by competing on Sunday having suffered the ACL injury in Switzerland in the last World Cup race before the Games, but was determined to take to the course for her favoured event. Stunned spectators applauded towards the helicopter as it carried her away from the piste which has brought her so much success - with 12 of her 84 World Cup wins coming here.
Vonn had been unsure what her knee was capable of withstanding but had targeted the downhill - saying she would try no matter the outcome - while also being entered in the super-G and team events. It is now unlikely she will compete in those, meaning her Olympic career has almost certainly come to a devastating end.
Earlier in the week, Vonn appeared relaxed and confident. Her coach Aksel Lund Svindal had expressed optimism about her performance. The work that we put in, obviously my heart aches for her, Johnson said. It's a tough road and it's a tough sport - that's the beauty and the madness of it. It can hurt you so badly but you keep coming back for more.
This crash has cast doubt on Vonn's future in the sport as she has battled through numerous injuries and made a surprising return in 2024 after a partial right knee replacement. Attendees and fellow competitors are left processing the emotional impact of this event, as Vonn's risk-taking epitomizes the high stakes of elite skiing.
