Lindsey Vonn set for major payout after Olympic crash

February 9, 2026 Oliver Obel

The opening days of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games delivered an early reminder of how quickly elite sport can turn from anticipation to uncertainty.

For Lindsey Vonn, one of the most recognizable figures in alpine skiing, the focus shifted from competition to recovery after a heavy fall brought her Olympic return to an abrupt end.

Risky return to the slopes

Vonn, 41, arrived in Cortina d’Ampezzo facing questions about her readiness after suffering an ACL injury less than two weeks before the Games. Despite the injury, she elected to start the women’s downhill, one of the fastest and most physically demanding events on the program.

The decision placed her back on a course where small mistakes can have severe consequences, particularly for an athlete returning from a recent injury.

Crash halts the race

During Sunday’s downhill, Vonn lost control at speed after brushing a gate early in her run. She fell heavily and slid down the course, prompting race officials to stop the event while medical teams responded.

After several minutes of treatment on the slope, Vonn was airlifted to hospital. Organisers later confirmed she was in a stable condition and undergoing further evaluation, effectively ending her participation in the Games.

The women’s downhill was delayed for around 20 minutes before competition resumed.

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Financial security beyond results

While Vonn’s Olympic campaign ended early, she is still expected to benefit from a significant financial initiative aimed at supporting U.S. athletes. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that investor Ross Stevens pledged $200,000 to every American Olympic and Paralympic athlete, regardless of how they perform at the Games.

Under the plan outlined by the newspaper, $100,000 will be paid either 20 years after an athlete’s first Olympic qualification or when they reach age 45, whichever comes later. The remaining $100,000 is structured as a guaranteed benefit for athletes’ families after their death.

“I do not believe that financial insecurity should stop our nation’s elite athletes from breaking through to new frontiers of excellence,” Stevens told The Wall Street Journal.

The publication said the total donation will amount to $100 million, a record contribution to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, and is designed to provide long-term financial stability in high-risk sports.

Teammate reacts after gold medal run

Following the delay caused by Vonn’s crash, Team USA’s Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal in the downhill.

After the race, Johnson shared an update she received about her teammate. Speaking via People, she said: “Her coach said she was cheering for me in the helicopter, so I hope for the best for her.

“I hope that it’s not too bad. My heart aches for her. It’s such a brutal sport sometimes.”

Johnson added: “It can hurt you so badly but you keep coming back for more.”

Sources: The Wall Street Journal, People