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Lindsey Vonn (42, American), the reigning queen of downhill skiing, is once again achieving the extraordinary. After experiencing a full tear of her left knee anterior cruciate ligament and a meniscus injury—a major obstacle—during a World Cup downhill race in Switzerland on the 30th of last month, just 10 days prior to the Olympics, she successfully finished the official training session for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. This has sparked hopes that she will compete in the Olympic downhill event set for the 8th.

As per the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) and CNN, on the 6th, Lindsey Vonn took part in the initial official practice session for the women’s downhill race at the Tofane Alpine Ski Center in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on that day. She navigated the downhill track without significant problems, achieving a time of 1 minute 40.33 seconds. CNN stated, “The official training was postponed for approximately an hour because of heavy fog in Cortina, but following its resumption, Vonn completed it successfully without any incidents.”

Vonn collapsed during the World Cup downhill race in Switzerland on the 30th of last month, leading to a full rupture of her left knee anterior cruciate ligament and injury to the meniscus. Medical professionals noted, “Her likelihood of competing in the Olympics is low, and she needs to start rehabilitation right away.” The general opinion was that, with a torn ligament, her knee would not be able to handle the force and pressure of downhill skiing, and some analyses indicated a possibility of dislocation if she continued to ski in her present state.

Nevertheless, Vonn remained determined not to abandon her chances at the Olympics. During an official press conference on the 3rd, she stated, “After discussing with doctors, I have been working out in the gym, and today I even went skiing. There’s no swelling, so with the support of a brace, I believe I can take part in the Olympics,” showing her belief in being able to compete.

It was widely expected that her participation in the Olympics would be determined during the official training session held that day. In Alpine skiing, not finishing the official training session at the Olympics usually leads to disqualification from the main competition. Dr. Eun Seung-pyo, a sports medicine expert, stated that day, “I anticipated Vonn would not complete the official training, but she completely exceeded medical analysis and expectations.”

After successfully finishing the official training, Vonn is expected to typically take part in the Alpine skiing women’s downhill race starting at 7:30 p.m. on the 8th. She is probably going to miss the second official training session planned for tomorrow, protect her knee, and put her best effort into the main event on the 8th. On that day, Vonn shared on her social media, “No one might have believed I could reach this point, but I did it. I won’t waste this chance.”