Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy– Lindsey Vonn is “confident” she can compete in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics that begin this week with a torn anterior cruciate ligament from a crash four days ago.
Vonn said Tuesday that the damage to her left knee was a “complete tear” of her anterior cruciate ligament and bone bruising “as well as meniscus damage.”
After three days of physical therapy and doctors’ advice, Vonn skated on Tuesday. She did not appear to be limping as she entered and left the press conference.
“My knee is not swollen, and with the help of the knee brace, I am confident I can compete on Sunday,” Vonn said.
“So it’s not clear that this is what I was hoping for. I know what my chances were before the accident and I know that my chances are not the same as they are today but I know there is still a chance. As long as there is a chance, I will try.”
“I will do everything I can to be in the starting gate.”
Vonn crashed on the World Cup slope in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday and ended up in safety nets. After skiing down the track she was taken to the hospital.
Vonn, the 41-year-old American, was expected to be one of the biggest stars of the Winter Games, which begin Friday with the opening ceremony. Her first race comes two days later in the women’s downhill on Sunday. Then Vonn was also planning to compete in the Super-G and the new combined team event.
The opening training session for the women’s downhill is scheduled for Thursday.
Teammate Bella Wright said Vonn has what it takes — a strong mental state — to skate through her injuries.
“If there’s anyone who can do it, it’s Lindsay,” Wright said.
Vonn has had numerous accidents and other injuries in her career.
“This will be the best comeback I’ve made yet,” Vonn said. “Definitely the most dramatic.”
Vonn made a stunning comeback last season at the age of 40 after nearly six years away from ski racing. Skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she has been a leader in downhill skiing this season with two victories and three more podium finishes in five races.
Including the Super G, Vonn completed eight World Cup races and finished on the podium in seven of them. Her worst result was fourth place.
Women’s skating during the Games will be in Cortina, where Vonn holds the World Cup record with 12 wins.
Vonn has won three Olympic medals: gold in downhill and bronze in super-G in 2010 and bronze in downhill in 2018.
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