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Vonn completes two training runs ahead of Sunday's downhill
American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has taken two training runs at the Winter Olympics downhill course in Cortina, Italy, just one week after fully rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a World Cup crash.
Injury defiance draws praise and concern
Former Olympic skier Chemmy Alcott called Vonn an "iconic superhuman athlete" who is "risking everything" by competing with the injury. Alcott noted that Vonn appeared to be protecting her left leg while still posting competitive times.
"She is putting her life on the line for this moment on Sunday,"
Chemmy Alcott, former Olympic skier
Vonn, 41, recorded the third-fastest time of the day in a session disrupted by weather, fueling speculation about the severity of her injury.
Debate over injury timeline
Sports medicine doctor Brian Sutterer questioned whether Vonn's ACL was already compromised before her recent crash. He suggested that athletes with prior knee injuries may adapt to instability over time, masking symptoms.
Vonn responded on social media, confirming her ACL was "100% ruptured" in the crash and fully functional until then. She dismissed suggestions of partial damage, writing, "Just because it seems impossible to you doesn't mean it's not possible."
Training progress amid tough conditions
Vonn's first training run on Friday saw her finish 1.39 seconds behind the leader in soft snow conditions. By Saturday, she improved to 0.37 seconds off the pace set by compatriot Breezy Johnson, clocking 1:38.28 on a firmer course.
Her coach, Aksel Lund Svindal, described the difference in snow conditions as "very different" and noted Vonn's calm demeanor after the run. "She didn't talk about the knee at all," he said, interpreting it as a positive sign.
Mental strength key to Olympic bid
Svindal emphasized Vonn's mental resilience as a critical factor in her potential success. "Good enough to win this race, hopefully," he said, adding that her experience at 41 could be her advantage.
Vonn has not confirmed whether she will compete in the super-G or team events later in the Games.
Olympic context
The downhill event is part of the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, running from February 6 to 22. Coverage is available on BBC platforms for UK audiences.
