Former Olympian Rennae Stubbs has firmly rejected suggestions that Lindsey Vonn’s devastating Winter Olympics crash was linked to her torn anterior cruciate ligament.
The tennis coach, who worked with Serena Williams at the 2022 US Open, posted her analysis on X following the American skier’s horrific fall during Sunday’s women’s downhill final.
Stubbs wrote: “NON PRO ATHLETES! @lindseyvonn didn’t crash today because of her knee, she crashed because she took a hard line at the gate and her pole wrapped it and flung her sideways!”
She pointed to Vonn’s recent performances as evidence, noting the 41-year-old had already completed two races on the injured knee, finishing eleventh and third in training sessions.
Vonn was competing at the Games just weeks after sustaining the ACL tear in a separate incident.
The veteran skier’s fall during the downhill final was captured live, with her screams of pain audible to viewers worldwide.
Medical teams rushed to attend to the stricken athlete, causing the competition to be halted for approximately 20 minutes as she received treatment on the slope.
Former Olympian Rennae Stubbs has firmly rejected suggestions that Lindsey Vonn’s devastating Winter Olympics crash was linked to her torn anterior cruciate ligament
She was subsequently transported by helicopter from the course, bringing a dramatic and distressing end to what many had hoped would be a triumphant Olympic return.
Stubbs added: “It was her hard line to the gate & her right pole wrapping her arm into!
“It had nothing to do with her knee! So stop with the nonsense.”
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after her crash | GETTYBBC commentator Chemmy Alcott was overcome with emotion during the live broadcast, breaking down in tears as she attempted to describe the harrowing scenes.
“I actually feel guilty that I am this emotional,” said Alcott.
“When we thought about the end of this story, we never thought and never believed that it would end in her in a clump at the side of the piece, not moving.”
The former British skier described the challenging conditions on the course, explaining that the upper section was running at high speed and that the left-footed turn presented difficulties even for fully fit competitors.
“It is an absolute nightmare. The whole world is watching and we wanted to see her come through the finish smiling,” Alcott added.
Alcott later shared an update on Vonn’s condition after speaking with Enrica Cipriani, a member of Team Vonn.
Lindsey Vonn crashed while competing at the Winter Olympics with a serious ACL injury | REUTERSThe commentator revealed that Vonn’s surgeon, who had operated on her knee, happened to be present on the mountain and was able to board the helicopter alongside her.
The aircraft touched down in Cortina, though Cipriani confirmed the local hospital would be unable to provide the necessary care.
A transfer to Innsbruck was considered the most likely option, though even those closest to Vonn had no further details at that stage.
Alcott noted the immense strain on the team, particularly given that Vonn’s husband Chris Knight serves as her coach.
