Lindsey Vonn Announces Retirement After Olympic Crash, Family Confirms End of Career
Lindsey Vonn’s storied skiing career is over following a devastating crash during the Olympic downhill run in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, her father announced Monday. Alan Kildow stated that, if he has any say, the American superstar will not race again, effectively ending her pursuit of further Olympic glory.
The 39-year-old Vonn underwent surgery on her left leg Sunday night after being airlifted off the slope following the crash, which occurred just 13 seconds into her run. The U.S. Ski Team confirmed she is currently in stable condition at a hospital in Treviso, Italy, with family members remaining by her side.
“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Kildow said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”
The family, including Vonn’s brother and two sisters, witnessed the harrowing event from the finish area. Kildow described the scene as “dramatic and traumatic,” emphasizing the shock and horror of witnessing such a high-impact crash. “You can go into a shock, an emotional psychological shock, because it’s difficult to just accept what’s happened,” he explained.
Despite the severity of the injury, Kildow emphasized Vonn’s resilience. “She’s a very strong individual,” he said. “She knows physical pain and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she’s able to handle it. Better than I expected. She’s a very, very strong person. And so I think she’s handling it real well.” Kildow spent the night in his daughter’s hospital room, ensuring she had constant support.
Notably, Kildow clarified that Vonn’s recent crash was unrelated to a torn ACL in her left knee sustained just nine days prior. “What happened to her had nothing to do with the ACL issue on her left leg. Nothing,” he stated, adding that she had been cleared by physicians after demonstrating her ability to function at a high level during training runs. He attributed the crash to Vonn pushing the limits of her racing line, clipping a gate, and losing control. “There are times sometimes in any race, but especially in downhill, where you have to take a little speed off,” he advised.
Vonn’s return to competition last season, after nearly six years of retirement and a partial titanium replacement surgery in her right knee, was a testament to her determination. She achieved remarkable success, winning two downhills and finishing on the podium in seven of eight World Cup races this season.
Her career boasts an impressive 84 World Cup victories, placing her second on the all-time women’s list behind teammate Mikaela Shiffrin, who holds the record with 108 wins. Kildow highlighted the distinction between speed races like downhill and technical events like slalom, underscoring the unique challenges of Vonn’s discipline.
Vonn will not be returning to the Olympics, even to support her teammates. “No, she’s not that in kind of situation,” Kildow confirmed. “She will be going home at an appropriate point in time.”
