The crowd in Cortina d’Ampezzo audibly gasped as she crashed just 13 seconds in, upon realizing just how serious her injuries could potentially be.
During the race, her USA teammate Breezy Johnson went on to win gold in the event, becoming the only American woman besides Vonn to ever do so.
“The odds are stacked against me”
The 41-year-old was aware of the severity of her injury prior to the race, and what that could potentially mean.
But in her message prior, Vonn put on a defiant display, reiterating that she was ‘strong’ enough to compete.
In a post, she wrote: “I will stand in the starting gate tomorrow and know I am strong. Know that I believe in myself.
“Know that the odds are stacked against me with my age, no ACL, and a titanium knee – but know that I still believe.”
She added: “And usually, when the odds are stacked against me the most, I pull the best of what’s inside me out.
“I will race tomorrow in my final Olympic Downhill and while I can’t guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have… no matter what happens, I have already won.”
Vonn announced her decision to compete despite the injury just five days ago.
Why compete with an injury?
It’s a question Vonn was asked numerous times before competing in the Winter Olympics.
“I just love ski racing,” she responded.
Writing on Instagram prior to her crash yesterday, she added: “I am not unsure about life outside of sport.
“I am not searching for meaning or for attention or money. I know exactly who I am and I know exactly what I am made of.”
She formerly retired in February 2019 as the most decorated female alpine skier in history, but her comeback this weekend proved to be devastating.
Her family have now issued a heartbreaking statement.
What caused the horrifying crash?
During the race, the American skier clipped the right-side gate whilst in the air, sending her spinning sideways before she hit the ground in a horrific accident.
Onlookers claimed that Vonn could be heard screaming in pain on the mountainside.
Having been competing already on a seriously-damaged knee, she skier was airlifted off the mountain by helicopter following the accident.
And people were quick to wish her well.
The Olympic Games issued a statement which read: “An Olympic champion, always. Wishing all the best to Lindsey.”
One fan added: “We should celebrate people like Lindsey Vonn.
“Pushed herself to the absolute limit and failed trying. Many would have quit after the injury, but she had one more shot and took it.”
Team USA posted: “Lindsey Vonn’s legacy is forever part of Team USA.”
Vonn’s family issue a heartbreaking update
Following the devastating crash, her sister Karin Kildow, has issued a statement.
Speaking to NBC after Vonn was transported to hospital, she said: “I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay.”
Kildrow also described the moment emergency services arrived on the scene.
“It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign,” she added, “we just really hope she’s okay.”
In a statement officially released to the Olympics, the Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso said that Vonn ‘underwent orthopaedic surgery to stabilise a fracture in her left leg.’
Her team later confirmed that she is currently ‘in a stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian physicians.’