Lindsey Vonn’s choice before horror crash criticised by skiing legend
Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the women’s downhill alpine skiing final on Sunday just moments into her session at Milano-Cortina with the USA star suffering a fractured leg
Italian skiing legend Alberto Tomba has suggested Lindsey Vonn should have trained at Milano-Cortina rather than competing at Crans-Montana before her devastating crash at the Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old crashed during Sunday’s women’s downhill alpine skiing final.
Vonn had been competing despite suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee just nine days earlier. Her comeback ended in disaster when she crashed moments into her run at the Winter Games.
Medical staff rushed to attend to the Olympic champion before she was airlifted to hospital. Doctors later confirmed she was in a stable condition following surgery on a leg fracture.
READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn showed her true colours with message from helicopter after horror crashREAD MORE: Lindsey Vonn health latest after horror crash and surgery as sister rushes to hospital
The crash occurred after Vonn had already suffered a ruptured ACL during an earlier fall at a World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Tomba has now questioned why Vonn chose to race so close to the Winter Olympics.
JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page
He told Reuters: “She shouldn’t have raced at Crans-Montana. She should have come here and trained, instead.
“When you feel in good shape, you want to win again. One race leads to another. But after five years preparing for these Olympics… well, she took a risk.”
When asked whether rule changes were necessary to safeguard athletes, Tomba remained cautious. He added: “It’s not easy.
“You can say that, but when you’re in the start gate… I was maybe the only one who wouldn’t start if conditions weren’t right. Different times, different courses.”
The incident resulted in a 20-minute suspension of racing before competitors could resume. Within an hour of Vonn’s fall, Cande Moreno also encountered trouble.
The Andorran skier crashed on the steepest section of the piste and was spotted clutching her knee before being airlifted from the mountain. The 25-year-old fell on a turn, prompting a second air ambulance callout on Sunday.
America’s Breezy Johnson went on to secure gold at the competition, with Germany’s Emma Aicher claiming silver and Italy’s Sofia Goggia taking bronze.
Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
