Top News

Skiing icon and gold medal contender Lindsey Vonn has revealed she still plans to compete at the Winter Olympics in Italy, despite tearing her ACL in a crash on Friday. The American is set to be in action in a matter of days when the downhill competition kicks off this weekend.

But the 41-year-old, who is leading the World Cup downhill standings after recording two wins and five podium finishes in five races, plans to compete. Vonn, who dated golf legend Tiger Woods for two years, is putting her team through their paces to get in a position in which she can compete.

“I’m leaning on everyone on my team,” Vonn said at a press conference in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. "Everyone is working as hard as they can to get me to a place where I feel confident."

"This is obviously not what I hoped for," she added. "I have been working really hard to come into these Games in a much different position.

"I know what my chances were before the crash and I know that my chances aren't the same as it stands now. But I know there is still a chance.

• Dave Ryding backed to end Winter Olympic career on a high in Milan-Cortina

• Amy Williams' advice to Matt Weston ahead of Winter Olympic skeleton tilt

JOIN US ON FB!Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

"As long as there is a chance, I'll try. That's where I am."

Vonn suffered the brutal injury after falling in the final World Cup downhill event before the Olympics in Crans-Montana last Friday. The veteran was airlifted away from the finish area.

Her knee has offered some stability in recent days, but Vonn has yet to try a run at full speed. The three-time Olympic medalist, who is in the second year of a comeback from a five-year retirement, has found success while injured before.

Vonn referenced the 2019 world championships, where she skied with knee injuries and still medalled. “Thankfully, actually, all of my experience in my life has given me a lot of confidence in what my body can and cannot do,” she said.

“I’ve been in this position before. I know how to handle it. … Even though I don’t want to be in this position, I know to handle it.”

Vonn did not confirm her Olympic schedule, waiting until she attempts a training run. She was also slated as a medal contender in the team combined and super-G events.

“I wish I wasn’t in this position,” she said. "But this is where I am, and I’m going to do the best I can.”