Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Lindsey Vonn Completes Olympic Downhill Training Run One Week After ACL Tear, Secures Start Eligibility

Completing a fog-delayed training run in 1:40.33 satisfied the requirement to start Sunday's downhill.

Overview

  • Vonn skied Friday wearing a large brace on her left knee and has said her knee is not swollen and feels stable despite a confirmed complete ACL rupture with bone bruising and meniscal damage.
  • Her official time of 1:40.33 placed her roughly mid-pack, reported as 11th at one stage and 1.39 seconds off the fastest, after Thursday’s session was canceled by snow and Friday’s start was delayed by fog.
  • By finishing at least one official training run, she is eligible to start the women’s downhill on Feb. 8, with another training session scheduled for Saturday.
  • Teammates and coaches voiced confidence, with coach Aksel Lund Svindal saying she showed reserves and could possibly contend for a medal if Sunday goes well.
  • A sports medicine doctor publicly questioned whether the injury was a fresh, classic tear, and Vonn responded on social media insisting her ACL is “100% ruptured.”