Have you EVER heard anyone start a skiing run like this?
Video credit: TNT Sports
Lindsey Vonn has been backed to compete at the French Alps 2030 Winter Olympics by snowboard icon Shaun White.
Vonn, 41, saw her much-anticipated Milano Cortina 2026 Games end in heartbreaking circumstances last Sunday as she was airlifted off the slopes in Cortina after suffering a heavy fall just 13 seconds into the women’s downhill race.
She required surgery on a broken leg just nine days after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a previous crash.
But White said Vonn, having previously fought back from injuries, could be back at the Winter Olympics again four years from now.
Asked whether that could happen, three-time Olympic gold medallist White said: “Oh, for sure. She’s impressive. Lindsey, you’re a legend. You inspire us all.
“You’re going to go down in history as the greatest and there’s no disputing that.
“The fact that she came back from previous injuries and got back out on the mountain and then started to win, that’s just got to be the most incredible feeling.
“But I’ve always told athletes, it’s never a straight path to the Olympics. There’s twists and turns and she hit a big hurdle, which was injuring the knees again.”
Watch: Vonn COMPLETES training run despite ACL injury
Video credit: TNT Sports
Vonn earned widespread praise for her sheer determination to compete at the Games with a torn ACL.
“Obviously, you could see she was powering through. She’s so strong, incredibly talented in her mind and her physical,” White said.
“And then to see her take that terrible crash again was just so heartbreaking for all of us.
“It happens. It’s like watching F1. The cars crash once in a while. You take the turn wrong.
“I was always remembering my performances, like, ‘Gosh, what if there’s that little chunk of snow just a little bit more to the left, and I hit it and there it is, my Olympic dream gone’.
“But we love her. We’re sending her our best. And we’re always pulling for her.”
Vonn provided an update on her injury status on Wednesday after undergoing a third surgery following her crash.
“I had my third surgery today and it was successful,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.
“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world.
“Also, huge congrats to my team-mates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
The Team USA star received widespread support from the sporting world after the crash, with tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka wishing her well via Instagram, while cycling great Primoz Roglic paid tribute in an interview with TNT Sports.
Vonn’s compatriot Breezy Johnson won Sunday’s downhill event, with Germany’s Emma Aicher taking silver and Italy’s Sofia Goggia bronze.
Watch every event of Milano Cortina 2026 live on discovery+. Available across all subscription plans, starting at £3.99.