Why Lindsey Vonn was moved to intensive care after Olympics crash

Lindsey Vonn was taken to intensive care following her leg injury in Sunday’s alpine skiing downhill race — but not for the reason you might think.

Vonn, the 41-year-old former Olympian who was attempting to snag another gold despite racing with a fully ruptured ACL, was transferred to the unit for “extra privacy,” The Daily Mail reported Monday.

After finishing 11th and 1.39 seconds off the fastest time during a training session Friday, Vonn’s right arm caught a gate in Sunday’s event. The impact caused her to crash just 13 seconds into the race, ending all dreams of an epic Olympic comeback in an instant.

Vonn landed hard on her right leg, then tumbled to a halt on the mountain. Medical crews rushed to attend to her and she was later airlifted away.

Reuters revealed that she had a “serious right leg fracture” and underwent two operations following her crash. The surgeries were done to “prevent complications linked to swelling and blood flow,” the report added.

“Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians,” a U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team spokesperson said.

The fact Vonn was even racing on Sunday was a near-miracle.

Vonn, who came out of retirement in November 2024, crashed and ruptured her ACL in Switzerland eight days before Sunday’s race.

Despite the grim diagnosis, she announced in a press conference last Tuesday that she’d still compete.

“I’m leaning on everyone on my team, my physical therapist, my doctors, my coaches, my trainer, everyone is working as hard as they can to get me to a place where I feel confident, and I’m prepared to just give my best,” Vonn said.

Some online speculated the severity of Vonn’s injury, including Dr. Brian Sutterer, who questioned whether her ACL had been injured previously, and whether she had just partially torn it.

“Bottom line, I don’t think this was a bread and butter, fresh ACL tear like everyone is thinking,” Sutterer wrote.

The post elicited a response from Vonn that her ACL was “100% gone.”

“My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible,” Vonn said.

Despite that comment, Vonn showed progress when she posted a workout video on Instagram. While donning a knee brace, Vonn completed squats and other mobility exercises in the video.

All signs pointed to a successful return after she completed her training into Sunday’s event.

But now, after 82 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals, it’s unclear what’s next for Vonn.

Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, snagged the first gold for Team USA on Sunday and became the second U.S. woman behind Vonn to do so in the event.