Lindsey Vonn is already a celebrated alpine skier with 84 World Cup wins to her name, but she’s looking to take her career one step further at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Vonn’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina has been anything but easy. On Friday, Jan. 30, she was involved in a dangerous crash incident during a World Cup race in Switzerland, which resulted in an ACL injury.
But, even a devistating ACL injury won’t get Vonn down. On Tuesday, Feb. 3, she held a press conference about her status and announced that even though she ruptured the ACL in her left knee during the crash, she would compete in the Games. “I’m still here. I think I’m still able to fight. I think I’m still able to try. And I will try as long as I have the ability to, I will not go home regretting not trying,” Vonn said at the time. “I will do everything in my power to be in that starting gate.”
Now, ahead of her first official event on Sunday, Feb. 8, Vonn is sharing another strong message. This one shows that she’s staying hopeful in the face of adversity.
Lindsey Vonn’s Message Amid 2026 Olympic Pursuit
On Saturday, Feb. 7, Vonn took to social media to send a clear message that she’s both physically and mentally ready to compete in the Games. But, her massage was also personal, and in it, she said that she knows who she is as a person and is standing strong.
“I am not unsure about life outside of sport,” she said in the post. “I am not searching for meaning or for attention or money. I know exactly who I am and I know exactly what I am made of. I am the product of amazing parents who showed me that hard work and determination pays off.”
She continued, “My Mother, who is watching over me, taught me the power of positivity and resilience. My Father, who will be watching in the stands with my family and friends, taught me hard work and mental toughness.”
Vonn also sent a clear message to her opponents, saying that even though the odds are against her, she believes that’s when she performs best.
“I will stand in the starting gate tomorrow and know I am strong,” she said in the message. “Know that I believe in myself. Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee- but know that I still believe.”
He added, “And usually, when the odds are stacked against me the most, I pull the best of what’s inside me out.”
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Vonn, according to Olympics research, is the second-most successful woman in World Cup history. Her first 2026 Olympic event is set for Feb. 8, at 5:30 a.m. ET and will air live on Peacock and USA and will re-air at 9:20 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. on NBC. She’ll also compete in the Women’s Super-G on Feb. 12.
