Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn displayed unwavering support for Team USA despite a harrowing crash at the event. Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, shared that Vonn continued to cheer her on even as she was being evacuated by helicopter following her own downhill mishap in Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Vonn, aged 41, made a comeback to the Winter Olympics after a hiatus since 2018, opting out of the 2022 Games. Unfortunately, her return was marred by a flag marker incident on the course that resulted in a serious fall.
The incident was particularly disheartening as Vonn had recently revealed a severe ACL injury in her left knee just a week before her Olympic return and had undergone surgery. While some criticized the decision to allow her to compete, others commended her resilience and determination.
Johnson, 30, expressed her empathy for Vonn and mentioned that Vonn was celebrating her success, despite the circumstances, as she was airlifted away. Johnson had already completed her run before Vonn’s crash and clinched the gold medal.
Johnson’s victory, with a mere 0.04-second lead over Emma Aicher of Germany, marked her first Olympic medal and made her the second American to win gold in this event, following Vonn’s triumph in 2010.
Vonn’s distressing moment drew an emotional reaction from BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott, who was moved to tears describing the scene. Johnson, on the other hand, sent a heartfelt message of encouragement to Vonn while celebrating her own achievement.
Looking back, Johnson had also secured notable victories at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships, winning world titles in the downhill and team combined events. Her absence from the 2022 Winter Olympics due to injury made her recent triumph even more significant.
In a social media exchange, Johnson defended Vonn’s decision to compete despite her injury, highlighting that many athletes have overcome similar challenges. She emphasized that athletes often push through such hardships without public acknowledgment.
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