MILAN — American skiing star Lindsey Vonn went through her first training run Friday since rupturing the ACL in her left knee, flashing a smile at the finish line after making it through her 100-second run without issue.
When Vonn made it down the course in Cortina safely, it checked a major box in her attempt to medal despite the injury. She was hurt one week ago during a World Cup race after she lost control coming off a jump while bracing to make a right-hand turn on a course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.
Lindsey Vonn before a training run for the women’s downhill event Friday.Stefano Rellandini / AFP via Getty Images
It is not the same knee that required major surgery, and that led her to retire in 2019 before launching a comeback last year.
Follow along for live updates
Friday’s run was delayed more than an hour due to low visibility in Cortina.
Vonn told reporters this week in Cortina, Italy, that she had undergone “extensive therapy” since rupturing the knee ligament and that “considering how my knee feels, I feel stable, I feel strong,” she said. “My knee is not swollen, and with the help of a knee brace, I am confident that I can compete on Sunday.”
Before last Friday’s injury, the 41-year-old Vonn’s comeback had been defined by her remarkably consistent health, especially for an athlete who had dealt with constant injuries throughout her career. Two victories last month on the World Cup circuit turned into a serious medal contender in Cortina, what she has called her favorite course to compete.
