Ski Queen Vonn Returns to Downhill Practice After Injury: "I Did It"

Competes in Milan-Cortina Olympic downhill training

Finishes run in 1:40.33 with a bright smile

"There is nothing that could make me happier"

"I did it." Ski queen Lindsey Vonn (United States) has signaled her comeback. Although she injured her knee in a World Cup race just before the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics and was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), she still completed practice runs on the Olympic downhill course.

On the 6th (local time), Vonn took part in the women's downhill practice held at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, finishing her run in 1 minute 40.33 seconds. A total of 47 skiers participated in the practice, and 43 finished the course. The ranking itself did not carry much meaning, but Vonn's time placed her 11th overall. Jacqueline Wiles (United States) was first with a time of 1 minute 38.94 seconds. The women's downhill race will be held on the 8th. Ahead of that, there will be one practice run each on the 6th and 7th.

Lindsey Vonn is checking the slope during women's downhill practice at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Cortina d'Ampezzo (Italy) Photo by AFP/Yonhap News

Vonn won the gold medal in the women's downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. She took bronze in the same event at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and retired in 2019, then returned to competition for the 2024-2025 season to prepare for these Olympics. In this Olympic season, she has recorded two victories, two runner-up finishes, and three third-place finishes in International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) World Cup races.

On the 30th of last month, she competed in a World Cup race in Switzerland and injured her left knee during the landing after a jump. After arriving in Italy on the 3rd, she said at a press conference, "My anterior cruciate ligament is completely torn. I also have a bone contusion and meniscus damage, which often occur with an ACL tear," explaining her condition.

Before practice on this day, Vonn posted a photo of herself on the course on her social media, writing, "Nothing could make me happier. No one thought I would be here, but I did it." She continued, "I am here, I am smiling, and no matter what happens, I know how lucky I am. I will never let this opportunity go to waste," adding, "Now I'm going to go out there and do it," reaffirming her determination.