Lindsey Vonn does not sound unsure, and she does not sound defensive either, but now she sounds clear with her words. One week after crashing hard and tearing knee ligaments, the American ski legend is still standing her ground. A doctor questioned whether her injury was really that bad. Vonn answered him in public, using her own words, before the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony.At 41 years old, Lindsey Vonn is back on skis when most people thought her career was long over. She crashed during a downhill race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, January 30, and was airlifted to the hospital. She later said her ACL was fully torn. Still, just days later, she showed up in Cortina and trained again. That alone shocked many people in the ski world. Then came the comments from a sports medicine doctor on social media. He suggested her injury may not be as serious as described. Vonn did not stay quiet. Instead, she responded directly, clearly, and without backing down.
Lindsey Vonn responds strongly after doctor questions her ACL injury before Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Lindsey Vonn took part in downhill training on a misty Friday afternoon at the Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina. This came just one week after her crash in Switzerland. She skied at speeds close to 75 miles per hour and finished the run in 1:40.33. That time placed her 11th out of 47 racers, far better than many expected.After the session, comments from Brian Sutterer, MD, began circulating online. The US-based sports medicine doctor questioned whether Vonn’s ACL injury was truly a fresh and complete tear. Writing on X, he said, “There’s a very important aspect of this that we do not know. What was the state of her ACL before the crash last week?” He added that elite athletes can sometimes function even when an ACL is already torn.Lindsey Vonn saw the comments and responded publicly. She wrote, “Lol, thanks doc. My ACL was fully functioning until last Friday. Just because it seems impossible to you doesn’t mean it’s not possible.” She followed that with a clear statement: “And yes, my ACL is 100% ruptured. Not 80% or 50%. It’s 100% gone.”Lindsey Vonn retired from skiing in 2019 but returned in December 2024 after a partial knee replacement. She is a four-time world champion and one of the most successful downhill racers ever. She won Olympic gold in downhill at the Vancouver 2010 Games and took bronze at the 2018 PyeongChang Games in South Korea.Weather permitting, a final training run is scheduled for Saturday. On Sunday, Lindsey Vonn plans to race again. Many believe it is risky. Others call it brave. Lindsey Vonn is not arguing either side. She is simply showing up and skiing.