Lindsey Vonn is pulling off the seemingly not possible process of constant her Olympic journey regardless of a torn ACL, bone bruise and meniscus harm to her left knee. Vonn sustained the damage Jan. 30, when she crashed in a World Cup race and it was assumed it meant the tip of her Olympic comeback.
With the 2026 Milano Cortina Video games starting on Feb. 6, Vonn wasn’t left a lot time for restoration earlier than her scheduled occasions. She was adamant that the damage didn’t imply the tip of her Winter Video games return and took step one to creating that come true on Friday.
Vonn took to the slopes for the primary time for the reason that damage, taking part in an official Olympic coaching occasion for ladies’s downhill snowboarding. She didn’t seem to have any setbacks within the run.
No matter the place Vonn finishes on the Video games, simply making it again on the slopes this fast is surprising and spectacular. Olympic followers are surprised at her dedication because the 41-year-old enters her fifth Olympics.
The restoration time for a torn ACL is normally six to 9 months, however athletes may wish longer earlier than they return to full depth exercises. A whole restoration isn’t anticipated for many sufferers till a yr, in keeping with the Cleveland Clinic.
There are three forms of ACL tears, with Grade One being the least extreme and Grade Three being essentially the most extreme. It’s not publicly recognized which stage tear Vonn has. Because the ACL is surrounded by a joint fluid that inhibits the therapeutic course of, most can’t heal on their very own. Most ACL tears require surgical procedure to restore, particularly for athletes who wish to return to their sport.
Vonn’s first occasion, girls’s downhill, is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 a.m. She additionally plans to compete in super-G and the group mixed occasion. The three-time Olympic medalist needed to sit out a World Cup super-G race the Saturday after the damage, however she’s decided to make that the one run she misses.
“I am nonetheless right here. I believe I am nonetheless capable of combat. I believe I am nonetheless capable of attempt,” Vonn stated. “And I’ll attempt so long as I’ve the flexibility to, I can’t go dwelling regretting not attempting. I’ll do every thing in my energy to be in that beginning gate.”
Vonn initially retired in 2019 as a result of quite a few accidents and after a partial knee substitute in April of 2024 she determined to unretire. Vonn now has a titanium implant in her proper knee.
Vonn stated so long as there’s a probability for her to compete this yr, she is going to take the possibility and mirrored on how this damage has been totally different than earlier ones.
“I have never cried. I have never deviated from my plan.” Vonn advised reporters at a information convention on Tuesday whereas talking about her damage. “Usually, prior to now, there’s all the time a second the place you break down and also you notice the severity of issues and that your desires are slipping by your fingers. However I did not have that this time. I am not letting this slip by my fingers. I am gonna do it. Finish of story.”
