Lindsey Vonn Crashes, Airlifted Off Mountain at Olympics 2026

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Lindsey Vonn’s return to the Olympics didn’t go as planned.

During the women’s downhill final at the Olympics in Cortina, Italy on February 8th, the skier crashed before reaching the first checkpoint. She screamed in pain for several minutes – the sound was even picked up by the broadcast – before medical staff arrived. They stabilized her on a stretcher and she was then airlifted off the course by helicopter.

The accident is especially upsetting because it happened shortly after she announced her return to the sport after a five-year break. Her sister, Karin Kildow, said she was completely dedicated to qualifying for the Olympics. Now, her family is simply hoping she recovers quickly.

“It was the last thing we wanted to happen,” Karin said to Cara Banks of NBC News. “Our immediate concern was for her well-being, and it was a frightening moment. Seeing the stretchers come out made it clear the situation was serious.”

She added, “She dared greatly, and she put it all out there.”

Medical staff are still assessing Lindsey’s condition, and her family hasn’t received any further information about her health, according to Karin in a statement to NBC News.

Just weeks before she planned to start racing again, the Olympic gold medalist—the first American woman to win downhill skiing at the 2010 Olympics—suffered a serious knee injury in a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th. She tore her left ACL, bruised a bone, and damaged the cartilage in her knee. Despite the injuries, the 41-year-old athlete is still hoping to compete in the 2026 Olympics.

Lindsey announced on Instagram on February 3rd that, after a lot of medical evaluations, therapy, and even a day of skiing, she’s cleared to compete in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday. She still needs to complete one practice run, which is standard for the race, but feels confident her body is ready to perform.

I knew my Olympic prospects before the accident, and while things have changed, I still have a shot. As long as there’s even a possibility, I won’t lose hope or give up – I’m still in this!

As Lindsey recovers, keep reading for a full rundown of Team USA.  

Though Mikaela Shiffrin has already won three Olympic medals, she’s determined to perform better at her fourth Olympics. She didn’t achieve the results she wanted at the 2022 Beijing Games, and a serious crash in November 2024—where she injured her abdomen and needed surgery—set her back. She’s now focused on regaining her top form.

In a December interview with TIME, Shiffrin explained she’s acutely aware of the unpredictable nature of competition. She knows that even with perfect preparation, a medal isn’t guaranteed. However, she feels a strong connection with her coaches and support team, and believes they’ll be able to face any challenges together. She feels that’s all she can do to prepare.

Mikaela Shiffrin has been supported for years by Norwegian skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, and the two are now engaged to be married.

He keeps telling me to stay positive and that everything will be alright, she shared with Olympics.com. Especially last season, she admitted to doubting whether she should even be trying to come back, wondering if she was pushing herself too hard, too soon. But he reassured her, reminding her that she knows her own limits and that she’s giving it her all, and that it’s okay if it doesn’t ultimately work out.

After struggling with repeated knee injuries, Lindsey Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019. She was a five-time Olympian, earning a gold medal in downhill and a bronze in Super-G at the 2010 Winter Olympics, and another bronze in downhill at the 2018 Games.

After a partial knee replacement in 2024 finally relieved her pain – something she hadn’t experienced since her initial surgery in 2013 – she rediscovered her passion for speed.

While he appreciates other things in life, like board meetings and investing, the 41-year-old skier told NBC News in December that nothing compares to the thrill of downhill skiing. He’s built a good life beyond the sport, and accepts that he’ll never recapture that feeling, but he’s determined to savor every last moment of the adrenaline rush while he still can.

A crash during a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30th could have ended Vonn’s attempt to return to competition, as she needed to be rescued by helicopter.

Despite tearing her left knee ligament, the experienced athlete announced she’s healthy enough to race in the women’s downhill competition on February 8th in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Cortina is hosting the skiing, snowboarding, and sliding events, while Milan will host skating and curling, among other sports. She had previously stated she was prepared to risk everything to compete.

Speaking at a press conference on February 3rd, she declared she wouldn’t give up. Despite the difficult situation, she insisted she was remaining strong and would fight her hardest.

Diggins, the most accomplished American cross-country skier ever, is competing in her last Olympic Games.

And the Afton, Minn., native is headed to Italy with a purpose.

In a recent Instagram post on January 31st, the 34-year-old shared that they have the freedom to choose who they compete for and live according to their beliefs. They dedicated their efforts to those who show compassion and care for others, stating that these individuals inspire them and make them proud to represent their community. They hope to bring happiness to these supporters in the coming weeks.

After retiring, she shared with NPR’s All Things Considered that she’s looking forward to spending time gardening and, most importantly, being home with her husband.

At just 17, Stolz first competed in the Olympics in Beijing. Although he didn’t medal then, he’s now a top contender to win gold in several events at the Milan Cortina Games, including the 500, 1,000, and 1,500-meter races, plus the mass start race—a challenging 16-lap, 6,400-meter competition.

I truly believe that if I can just perform at my best, I have a real shot at winning gold. I told the Associated Press a while back that I feel I’m in a good position to compete with anyone. When they asked about dealing with the pressure, I explained that as long as everything goes smoothly, I’m confident I can handle it. I’ve been in plenty of high-stakes races before, so the pressure itself doesn’t really bother me anymore.

Four years after making history at the Beijing Winter Olympics—where she became the first Black American woman to win an Olympic speed skating medal and the first Black woman to win an individual gold medal—500-meter champion Erin Jackson will carry her nation’s flag into the 2026 Games. She will share the honor with bobsledder Frank Del Duca during the Opening Ceremony on February 6th.

It’s a huge honor to represent the United States internationally,” said the 33-year-old from Ocala, Florida. “This isn’t just about me; it’s about my family, teammates, hometown, and everyone in the country who supports athletics.

I’m so excited to see what’s next for Brittany! While she’s not retiring right now, she’s already planning to give back by starting her own organization. It’s going to help young Black athletes get the support they need to chase their speed skating goals, and honestly, that’s amazing. It means so much to see her wanting to pave the way for the next generation.

It’s incredibly important to see people who look like you succeeding, and that hasn’t always been the case in winter sports, especially speed skating. I’m proud to be a role model and inspire others to get involved, and I’m committed to helping make that happen.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always amazed by athletes pushing their limits! Kim suffered a shoulder injury – a torn labrum – back in January while training in Switzerland. It was a pretty serious setback, involving a dislocation, but that wasn’t going to keep her from pursuing her Olympic dreams. She’s heading to her fourth Olympics with a real shot at winning her third gold medal in the women’s halfpipe – talk about dedication and resilience!

The 25-year-old athlete from Torrance, California, expressed disappointment in a video posted on January 13th about not being able to snowboard until just before the Olympics, acknowledging it will be a challenge. They also noted they haven’t had as much practice as they’d hoped, but are staying positive about it.

As a lifestyle expert and athlete, I’m anticipating a relaxed preparation period leading up to the 2026 Games. Right now, I’m enjoying some time at home, but I’ll be traveling to Europe early next week to get in a few training sessions before heading to Milan for the main event. I’m really looking forward to it!

And once she was there, she’d be fired up and ready to go—just like everyone else.

It’s hard to put into words what it’s like,” said Kim, a snowboarder since age four, “but it feels like everyone reaches their full potential out there.

Gerard first won a gold medal in slopestyle at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics when he was 17. Now, as a two-time X Games champion, he’s aiming to achieve the same success at his third Olympic Games.

The 25-year-old, originally from Ohio and now living in Colorado, told People magazine in January that she still feels young and in great shape. She also expressed how rewarding it is to be a veteran on Team USA, having joined at age 13, and to now be able to mentor the younger athletes.

Gerard explained how he handles the pressure of the Olympics. He focuses on treating it like any other competition, despite the larger audience and scale. He tries to stay focused on his own performance, reminding himself that the snowboarding itself doesn’t change, and that’s how he’s always approached it throughout his career.

At 31, the halfpipe competitor is aiming for gold after winning silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022. This is his third Olympic Games.

Skier Ferreira believes this is his year to win gold. He told the Daily Express that unlike his previous two Olympic appearances where he was injured – a broken collarbone before the first and a sprained ankle three weeks before the second – he’s entering the games fully healthy. He also feels more prepared, noting he’s older and incredibly focused.

Besides his sister Lourdes and athletic parents – Marcelo, a former soccer player from Argentina, and Colleen, a competitive relay racer – he also has a rescue dog named Brandy by his side.

What I love most about Brandy is her unconditional love. As Nulo’s ambassador, I shared that she doesn’t care about accomplishments – she just greets me with a wagging tail, offering support through everything life throws my way, and I truly rely on her.

Hall is competing in his third Olympics, hoping to repeat his gold medal win in slopestyle. He’s come a long way since placing 16th in the event at the 2018 Games.

Okay, so everyone’s talking about him possibly winning slopestyle again, which would be incredible! He’s so chill, too – he actually told someone he keeps his gold medal in his sock drawer! Can you believe that?! But honestly, I’m really hoping he does better in Big Air this year. He came in eighth in 2022, and I just know he has it in him to do so much better. Another gold would be a dream, of course, but seeing him crush it in Big Air would be amazing too!

In an interview with POWDER magazine in October 2025, Hall expressed his excitement about the return of the Olympics to Europe, particularly the prospect of skiing on quality snow amidst impressive mountain scenery – something the last two Olympics lacked. He also shared a personal connection to the upcoming games, noting that his mother is from Bologna, Italy, and many of his family members who still live there plan to attend, which he described as ‘pretty sweet.’ Hall, currently based in Utah, was born in Alaska and spent his childhood in Zurich, Switzerland, where his parents teach at the university level.

The 29-year-old freestyle skier is competing in her third Olympic Games and hopes to build on the silver medal she won in Beijing.

She always knows who to ask for help, whether it’s about getting better at her sport or dealing with the stress of competing on the world stage.

Patti Sherman-Kauf is a decorated athlete – she won two championships on the World Pro Moguls Tour, even while pregnant with her daughter, and her husband, Scott Kauf, won five titles. After retiring from mogul skiing, Patti excelled in skicross, earning three bronze medals at the X Games.

Jaelin wasn’t like most babies – she preferred being bounced instead of rocked, according to her mother, Patti, in an interview with NBC Olympics.

Jaelin confessed that she didn’t immediately love mogul skiing. “I’d always choose a powder day over bumps,” she told Teton Gravity Research in November 2025. However, watching her parents build careers as professional skiers showed her it was a viable path for herself. She explained that not everyone has that example or support, but she always felt confident she could pursue it.

Team Jaelin also includes her boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, a two-time Olympic skier who is now retired, and Bradley’s brother, Bryon Wilson, who won an Olympic bronze medal and currently coaches Kauf.

Humphries’ journey has had more twists than a bobsled run.

Originally from Calgary, this 40-year-old athlete represented Team Canada in two-woman bobsled and achieved Olympic success, winning gold medals in both 2010 and 2014, and a bronze in 2018.

I was absolutely floored when she announced in 2019 she was leaving the Canadian national team after sixteen years! It turned out she was genuinely scared for her safety. Apparently, things had become unbelievably toxic within the team, and it all came to a head before the 2018 Olympics. It was heartbreaking to hear, honestly, and explained so much about why she seemed…off during that time. I just couldn’t believe what she was going through behind the scenes.

Humphries began competing for the U.S. team in 2019, but she told the Associated Press then that she still considered herself Canadian and didn’t intend to choose between the two nationalities.

She clarified that her love for Canada hasn’t changed, but she’s also developed strong feelings for another person and country. After living in the U.S. for four years and marrying an American, life presented them with new opportunities, leading to difficult decisions and choices.

Elana Humphries became a U.S. citizen in 2021 and then made history by winning the first-ever Olympic gold medal in the monobob event—a one-person bobsled race—at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

This will be her fifth Olympic Games, but her first since becoming a mother. She and her husband, Travis Armbruster, welcomed their son, Aulden, in June 2024.

For years, people have said that having a baby means the end of an athlete’s career – that your body will change too much, both physically and mentally, and you’ll never return to top performance. Kaillie Humphries told The Athletic that this used to be the accepted truth, but she and other athletes are now demonstrating that it’s possible to be both a parent and continue competing at a high level.

For five-time Olympian, bobsledding is now a personal escape. Since becoming a mother with her husband, Nic Taylor, she’s found solace in the sport. They welcomed their son, Nico, in 2020, and another son, Noah, in 2022. Nico has Down syndrome, and both boys are deaf—a condition caused by a gene both parents unknowingly carried until Nico’s birth.

Even though things were incredibly hectic at home, Meyers Taylor really wanted her children to see what she did for work.

The 41-year-old told The Athletic that the next generation will encounter difficulties he can’t fully imagine. He hopes they learn that even when things get hard, it’s important to keep chasing your goals. He wants them to witness both his successes – seeing him with medals – and his struggles, learning how to overcome setbacks and keep fighting.

Although Kaillie Meyers Taylor has won five Olympic medals across four Games – four in two-woman bobsled and a silver in the monobob event in 2022 – she’s still hoping to achieve her first gold medal.

Skeleton racing is undeniably cool – it involves speeding headfirst down an icy, winding track on a small sled, reaching up to 90 miles per hour.

Ro, who in 2025 became the first American to win a medal in skeleton at the IBSF World Championships in over a decade, initially didn’t believe she had a chance of winning.

She remembers her first time trying skeleton in 2016 vividly. After being told she was too small for bobsled, her coach guided her to the starting line, and then everything became a blur. ‘It was so fast, I couldn’t see or think,’ she told The Athletic. ‘When I reached the bottom, my immediate thought was, ‘That’s it, I’m never doing that again!”

But after listening to enough people rave about how cool it was, she tried it again.

Ten years after starting her journey, the athlete from Virginia is now competing in her first Olympics. She’ll be participating in both individual events and the new mixed team event, which is being introduced at the 2026 Games.

Outside of training and competition, Ro—one of eleven children, and a twin by just fourteen minutes—works as a tour guide at the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Like many athletes in less-publicized sports, she takes on a second job to help make ends meet.

She described being fully immersed in her training environment, saying she lives and breathes the atmosphere there. She also explained that the tours, led by athletes offering a personal look at the facility, are a hit with visitors. However, she emphasized that the income from tours won’t be enough to fully fund her athletic pursuits.

Illya Malinin comes from a family of figure skating stars – both his parents were champions in Uzbekistan. He started skating at age six, but growing up in Virginia, he actually preferred playing soccer outdoors to practicing in the chilly rink.

At age 17, he achieved a historic feat at the 2022 CS U.S. International Classic by becoming the first—and so far only—skater to land a complete quadruple axel in an international competition.

Ilia Malinin, known as the “Quad God,” has successfully landed four-revolution jumps in competition several times. With Nathan Chen, previously called the “Quad King,” not competing in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, Malinin is currently the strongest U.S. contender to win gold in the men’s individual event.

Four years after not making Team USA, the 20-year-old is now concentrating on preparing himself to perform well.

I don’t focus on winning medals when I compete,” Ilia Malinin explained on the USA Today podcast, Milan Magic. “I concentrate on giving a strong performance and doing what I need to do as a skater. I make sure I’m well-prepared so I can skate my best. If I do that, the medals usually follow.”

After earning a bronze medal at both the Beijing Olympics and the World Championships, Liu retired from competitive skating in 2022.

Liu explained to NBC News that she began her training at age five and continued until she was sixteen. Being homeschooled her entire life, she realized she’s a very social person who needs connection with others. However, she spent many years training in isolation, without family or friends nearby.

She explained that she had very little control over her own choices, like what she wore or what events she participated in. She felt used, like a doll being dressed up, and didn’t enjoy it. However, she felt obligated to compete in the Olympics, believing she was doing it for the sake of her younger self.

After starting her studies at UCLA in the fall of 2023 and enjoying a typical college experience, she rediscovered her competitive drive during a ski trip in January. By March 2024, she was officially back to competing. The 20-year-old from Clovis, California, then went on to win a gold medal at the World Championships in 2025. Now, she’s aiming to help the U.S. women’s team break their 20-year streak without an individual medal – and ideally, win another gold – at the 2026 Games.

When she takes the ice now, “it’s fully for myself,” Liu explained. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool.”

This Olympic Games marks the fourth time these partners have competed together, and it’s their first time competing as a married couple since tying the knot in June 2024.

In December, Chock explained to TopMob News that getting married strengthened their relationship and dedication to their sport. They already had a strong connection through skating, but marriage has allowed them to fully support each other – both personally and professionally – in all aspects of life.

Though they helped the U.S. figure skating team win gold in Beijing in 2022, this three-time world champion pair is still hoping to earn their first Olympic medal together.

We’ve been working really hard and dedicating a lot of time and effort,” Bates shared with TopMob, “but we truly appreciate every day and the chance we’ve been given.

Although the ice dancers, 36-year-old Evan Bates and 33-year-old Madison Chock, haven’t announced their retirement, they recognize they’re nearing the end of their competitive career.

At the 2026 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Bates told NBC Olympics that they were trying to stay focused and not get overwhelmed by the emotions of the event and their 15-year partnership. They said the best reward would be a strong performance, but they also wanted to savor the moment, knowing it might be their last. They went on to win gold at the competition.

The veteran U.S. women’s hockey player, a gold medalist in 2018, has announced that the upcoming Milan Cortina Olympics will be her last. This will be her fifth Olympic Games, making her the American hockey player—male or female—with the most Olympic appearances.

Although winning another gold medal would be fantastic, Knight emphasized to Today.com that many of her teammates are Olympic first-timers. She’s focused on making sure everyone feels comfortable and can perform at their best. She believes they have incredibly talented players, and getting them to reach their full potential will be key to the team’s success.

A University of Wisconsin graduate, this athlete currently plays for the Seattle Torrent in Washington, but considers Salt Lake City her true home. She recently purchased a house there with her partner, Brittany Bowe, a veteran speed skater who will be competing in her fourth and final Olympic Games shortly before turning 38 on February 24th.

As a longtime fan, I’ve always admired how Simone and Jonathan just get each other. I remember seeing an interview with them on NBC Olympics back in June 2025, and it really struck me what Knight said. Basically, because they’re both elite athletes, they instinctively know when the other needs a boost or just some room to breathe. It’s clear their years at the top level have given them a special understanding of each other – they just know.

This mixed doubles curling team, paired up after the 2022 Beijing Olympics, is heading to their first Games together. They recently finished fifth at the 2025 World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship and previously won a world championship in 2023. They attribute their success not only to their skill and dedication, but also to how well their personalities mesh.

Ahead of the Milan Cortina Games, figure skater Dropkin, 30, explained how well she and her partner, Cory, work together. She said they’re both good at staying relaxed and focused on the present. They also complement each other’s personalities – someone recently described them as ‘the calm and the fire.’ Cory is calm, confident, and composed on the ice, while Dropkin brings a lot of energy and passion. She believes this combination is what makes them so successful as a team.

He and his wife, Thiesse, who married Sam Thiesse in June 2022, live in Duluth, Minnesota. They both work regular jobs to support their passion for curling.

Dropkin works in real estate, and Thiesse is a lab technician who tests wastewater for mercury. Thiesse told Duluth’s ABC 10 that she’s thankful to have a stable job while pursuing her passion for curling, something she and her teammates have dreamed of since childhood.

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2026-02-08 17:20