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Lindsey Vonn Crashes Out of Olympic Downhill as Breezy Johnson Wins First U.S. Gold

Doctors said she required surgery to stabilize a left‑leg fracture after choosing to race nine days post‑ACL rupture.

Overview

  • Vonn fell less than 14 seconds into her run in Cortina after clipping a gate, prompting a race pause and an airlift off the Olympia delle Tofane course.
  • Ca' Foncello hospital in Treviso reported stabilizing surgery for a fracture of Vonn's left leg, with further details on her recovery not yet released.
  • The 41-year-old entered the downhill wearing a brace after a complete left ACL rupture sustained Jan. 30 in Crans‑Montana, having completed the required training runs this week.
  • Breezy Johnson won the downhill in 1:36.10 by 0.04 seconds over Germany’s Emma Aicher, with Italy’s Sofia Goggia taking bronze, delivering Team USA its first medal and first gold of the Games.
  • Spectators and teammates reacted in visible distress as medical staff treated Vonn on course, underscoring renewed scrutiny of athletes competing while injured and the sport’s inherent risks.