Lindsey Vonn is ‘confident’ she can race at Olympics despite ruptured ACL in left knee
CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy — Lindsey Vonn has done this before. And succeeded.
The 41-year-old American skiing standout is “confident” she can compete at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics despite a torn ACL from a crash four days ago.
Vonn said the damage to her left knee was a “completely ruptured” ACL, bone bruising “plus meniscal damage.”
After three days of physical therapy and doctors' advice, Vonn tried skiing Tuesday. She did not appear to be limping as she entered and exited a news conference.
“My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday," Vonn said. "And as long as there’s a chance, I will try ... I will do everything in my power to be in the starting gate."
Vonn crashed in a World Cup downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Friday and ended up in the safety nets. After skiing to the bottom of the course she was taken to hospital.
Vonn is expected to be one of the biggest stars of the Winter Games, which start Friday with the opening ceremony. Her first race comes two days later in the women’s downhill. She also plans on competing in super-G and the new team combined event.
The opening women’s downhill training session is scheduled for Thursday.
“My intention,” Vonn said, “is to race everything.”
