A once-unthinkable fairytale ending at the age of 41 on the familiar slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo was practically within touching distance. There’s a history of comebacks like these going brutally wrong, and even Vonn’s most dedicated fans were bracing themselves for the worst. Scans later confirmed a complete ACL rupture in her left knee, along with a bone bruise and meniscal damage. A top-three finish would cap a remarkable comeback rendered even more improbable by the injury. View image in fullscreen A week after rupturing her ACL, Lindsey Vonn clocked speeds above 70mph on her downhill training runs.

Source: The Guardian February 08, 2026 06:50 UTC