An update has been issued on Lindsey Vonn, who crashed out during the women's downhill competition at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympic Games earlier today (8 February).
The incident came following her announcement just over a week ago that she had ruptured her ACL, sustained a bone bruise and meniscal damage.
Distressingly, as spectators watched on in horror, the 41-year-old could be heard screaming in pain as she fell down the iconic Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina today.
Following the tragic scenes during the live Winter Olympics coverage, as she was airlifted by helicopter off the slope, the US Ski & Snowboard Team has issued an update: "Lindsey Vonn sustained an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians."
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The athlete's family also spoke out earlier, as her sister, Karin Kildow, is over in Italy to support her.
Speaking to NBC, she said that the family is 'hoping for the best' after witnessing the worrying fall from Vonn, a previous gold-medallist at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
"That definitely was the last thing we wanted to see. It happened quick. So when that happens you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay," she said.
"It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, that is not a good sign."
She explained her sister often 'dares greatly' and 'always goes 100 percent'.
Kildow added: "I know she put her whole heart into it and sometimes, just, like, things happen.
"It’s a very dangerous sport. And there are a lot of variables at play. I don’t really know exactly what happened. It did look like a pretty rough fall. We’re just hoping for the best."
You can view the footage here:
Vonn, 41, had clipped the first gate when heading down the iconic Olimpia delle Tofane course in Cortina, the same piste where she experienced 12 of her 84 World Cup wins.
Speaking on Instagram hours before the race, she said: "I will race tomorrow in my final Olympic Downhill and while I can’t guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have.
"But no matter what happens, I have already won."
Vonn had claimed that her 'ACL was fully functioning' last week, stating: "Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible. And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone."
She had done well in the training sessions, managing to record the third-fastest time in the second downhill training session, in what is set to be the skier's final Olympic Games.
It is unclear if the skier will compete in the super-G and team events.
The Team USA athlete was tipped for a podium spot in the 2026 Olympics after successful performances in the 25/26 season, where she made the podium in all five races, winning two.
Jess Battison