Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn, despite a harrowing crash at the event, continued to support Team USA. Her teammate Breezy Johnson, who won a gold medal, revealed that Vonn cheered her on even while being airlifted following her own downhill race accident in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Vonn, aged 41, returned to the Winter Olympics after a hiatus and missing the 2022 Games. Unfortunately, her comeback took a tragic turn with a severe crash caused by catching a flag marker on the course. Vonn had recently undergone surgery for a completely ruptured ACL in her left knee before the event, leading to mixed reactions about her participation.
Johnson, aged 30, received Vonn’s encouragement even as she celebrated her victory and expressed concern for Vonn’s well-being. Johnson’s gold-winning performance edged out Germany’s Emma Aicher by a mere 0.04 seconds, marking her first Olympic medal and making her the second American to clinch gold in that event after Vonn in 2010.
Vonn’s painful incident drew an emotional response from BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott, while Johnson conveyed her support to Vonn in light of her career milestone. Johnson’s triumph at the Winter Olympics followed her success at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships a year earlier, where she secured her first world titles.
In response to questions about Vonn’s decision to compete despite her knee injury, Johnson explained that multiple athletes have competed without an ACL and emphasized the unseen challenges faced by athletes. With Vonn’s remote support, Johnson’s stellar performance secured her victory, showcasing her resilience and skill on the slopes.