Winter Olympics icon Lindsey Vonn showcased unwavering support for Team USA despite a harrowing crash during the Winter Olympics. Her teammate, Breezy Johnson, revealed that Vonn cheered her on from an airlift after her fall in the downhill event at Cortina d’Ampezzo.
Vonn, aged 41, returned to the Winter Olympics after a hiatus and an injury-forced absence from the 2022 Games. However, her comeback was marred by a dramatic crash caused by a flag marker incident on the course.
The accident was especially tragic as Vonn, who recently underwent surgery, had disclosed a severe ACL injury just a week before her Olympic return. While some criticized the decision to allow her to compete in what may be her final Games, others commended her bravery and resolve.
Johnson, 30, expressed solidarity with Vonn and shared that Vonn continued to root for her even while being airlifted. Johnson’s stellar performance secured her a gold medal, narrowly beating Germany’s Emma Aicher by 0.04 seconds and marking her first Olympic triumph, following in Vonn’s footsteps from 2010.
Vonn’s distressing moments on the slope evoked an emotional response from BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott, who was moved to tears describing the scene. Johnson, in turn, sent a heartfelt message of support to Vonn amidst her own celebratory moment.
Looking ahead, fans can catch the UEFA Champions League action on TNT Sports, including select Premier League and FA Cup fixtures, on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel. Johnson, who had previously triumphed at the 2025 Alpine World Ski Championships, capitalized on her Olympic opportunity with Vonn’s distant encouragement to claim victory.
In a recent social media interaction, Johnson defended Vonn’s decision to compete despite her knee injury, emphasizing that many athletes have persevered without an ACL and urging understanding of the full context in such situations.