Lindsey Vonn's Olympic Dreams Dashed as Breezy Johnson Claims Gold

Sun Feb 08 2026 19:20:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a dramatic turn of events at the Winter Olympics, Lindsey Vonn's hopes for a final medal were cruelly cut short by a crash, allowing teammate Breezy Johnson to secure gold amidst emotional turmoil.

Lindsey Vonn faced a devastating crash during the women's downhill competition at the Winter Olympics, potentially ending her Olympic career. Vonn, recovering from a recent knee injury, crashed on her first jump, while fellow American Breezy Johnson celebrated her historic gold medal win, clocking a time of 1:36.10. The race also saw Emma Aicher from Germany take silver and Italy's Sofia Goggia secure bronze. Vonn's commitment to compete despite her injury raised concerns, as the crash overshadowed her hopes of a triumphant return to the Olympics.

Lindsey Vonn crashed in the women's downhill competition at the Winter Olympics while fellow American Breezy Johnson won gold in an emotional race in Cortina.

Vonn, 41, had taken a considerable risk by competing just nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee. However, a miscalculation on her first jump sent her crashing into the gate, abruptly ending her dreams of securing a medal in what she stated would be her final Olympic downhill.

The crash left spectators stunned as Vonn was airlifted off the course following an extended medical assessment. She had successfully completed two training runs on the challenging Olimpia delle Tofane course, showcasing her determination to compete despite her injury.

Amidst Vonn's misfortune, 30-year-old Breezy Johnson triumphed with a blistering time of 1:36.10, earning her first Olympic medal, which was met with tears of joy. Vonn's name appeared last as she finished her run, with Johnson watching on the big screen, clapping her hands over her head in dismay at her teammate's accident.

Germany's Emma Aicher narrowly missed the gold, taking silver just 0.04 seconds behind Johnson, while Italy's Sofia Goggia captured the bronze medal amidst enthusiastic cheers from the home crowd.

Vonn had been unsure about her capacity to withstand the rigors of competition after suffering a significant injury during the last World Cup race before the Olympics. Her determination was evident as she aimed for her favored event and prepared to compete in additional races, including the super-G and team events. However, it is now unclear if she will return to the slopes for future competitions, leaving her Olympic journey hanging in the balance.

Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, had expressed optimism about her potential to perform outstandingly. Yet, as the crash unfolded, the gravity of her risk became palpable; even the sudden airlift stirred concern throughout the event. British Olympian Chemmy Alcott reflected on the alarming atmosphere, emphasizing the physical and mental toll such risks impose not just on Vonn, but on the entire Olympic field.