CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — The remarkable return of Lindsey Vonn reached a key moment Sunday at the Winter Games, where the 41-year-old American was racing in the women's downhill on a badly injured left knee with hopes of her first Olympic gold medal since 2010.
Vonn was scheduled to be the 13th skier on the iconic Olympia delle Tofana course on a sunny day in Cortina below the jagged peaks of the Dolomites, a place where she has a record 12 World Cup wins and many treasured memories.
The course was running smooth and fast, which may benefit Vonn's knees. The opening racers navigated the bumpy sections and jumps with precision. There are 36 competitors in the field.
Vonn had plenty of family in attendance, including her father, Alan Kildow. He said he got up early to do some yoga and meditate to stay relaxed.
“You never know who’s going to win in the Olympics. But I have no emotions,” he said. “Literally, I don’t.”
All eyes were on Vonn, the feel-good story heading into the Olympics. She returned to elite ski racing last season after nearly six years away from the circuit. On a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee, too. Her surgery in April 2024 left her feeling so good that she decided to give it a go for another Olympics appearance.
The four-time overall World Cup champion stunned everyone by being a contender almost immediately. She is leading the World Cup downhill standings and was a gold-medal favorite before her crash in Switzerland last week when she suffered her latest knee injury. In addition to a ruptured ACL, she also had a bone bruise and meniscus damage.
It didn't deter her, though, with Vonn saying on Instagram: “Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee- but know that I still believe.” Nine days later, she was back at the top of the Tofana course, ready to go.
Vonn won the downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games, the only female from the U.S. to win the discipline at the Olympics.
The Tofana is a course that's always suited Vonn and she tested out the knee twice in downill training runs over the past three days.
“This would be the best comeback I’ve done so far,” Vonn said. “Definitely the most dramatic.”
Graham reported from Bormio, Italy.
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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