Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic Dream Ends After 13 Seconds in Horrific Crash

American ski legend Lindsey Vonn’s dream of winning Olympic downhill gold came to a painful end just 13 seconds into her race after a terrifying crash at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Vonn, 41, was attempting a remarkable comeback despite racing with a ruptured ACL. Her courage and determination had been one of the biggest stories of the Games.

Aggressive Start Ends in Disaster

Wearing bib number 13 and a knee brace, Vonn looked confident and focused at the start gate. She tapped her ski poles and launched into the course with her usual aggressive style.

However, early in her run, she appeared to clip the fourth gate with her shoulder. She lost control at high speed and was thrown violently into the air before crashing off the course.

Stadium Falls Silent

Television viewers could hear Vonn screaming as she lay on the snow. Fans and fellow athletes watched in shock as medics rushed to her side.

A helicopter was called to the scene, and Vonn was lifted off the mountain on an orange stretcher. As the helicopter flew toward the hospital, spectators stood and applauded in support.

She was taken to Codivilla Putti Hospital in Cortina for medical evaluation. Officials have not yet released details about her condition.

Emotional Reactions From Teammates

American skier Breezy Johnson, who later won the race, was visibly shaken. She covered her face as the helicopter arrived.

“My heart goes out to her,” Johnson said. “When you love a course so much and it hurts you like that, it hurts even more.”

A Risk That Defined Her Career

Vonn knows the Olimpia delle Tofane course better than most. She had won 12 of her 84 World Cup races there during her career.

Despite her injury, she pushed hard in hopes of becoming the oldest Olympic medalist in Alpine skiing. Earlier this season, she had already won two World Cup races, proving she could still compete at the highest level.

Shock Across the Skiing World

Her crash sent shockwaves through the Olympic village. Fellow American skier Bryce Bennett watched the incident on a big screen and was left stunned.

“It shows how dangerous downhill really is,” Bennett said. “Everything looks easy until it suddenly isn’t.”

Experts Say She Took a Big Risk

Former Olympic champion Tina Maze, speaking on Eurosport, said Vonn may have pushed too hard given her injury.

“It was her decision,” Maze said. “She wanted to race no matter what. It’s very hard for everyone to see this.”

Tributes Pour In

FIS President Johan Eliasch praised Vonn for her impact on the sport.

“She has put alpine skiing in the spotlight,” he said. “We wish her a fast recovery.”

Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow said Lindsey gave everything she had.

“She dared greatly,” she said. “Right now, we’re just hoping she’s okay.”