American skier Lindsey Vonn experienced a catastrophic fall in the downhill race at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, ending her pursuit of a fourth Olympic medal. Vonn, aged 41 and recently recovering from an ACL tear, fell just moments into her finals run, leaving the course and the audience in shock at the horrifying incident. Her compatriot Breezy Johnson went on to win the gold medal, narrowly beating Germany's Emma Aicher.

The fall occurred a mere 13 seconds after Vonn's start as she collided with the icy snow and rolled down the slope, remaining strapped into her skis. This resulted in significant concern over the potential aggravation of her previous knee injury, which had been sustained just over a week before the competition. Medical staff rushed to her aid as she lay in shock on the course, underscoring the risks inherent in downhill racing.

International Ski Federation President Johan Eliasch addressed the incident, calling it 'tragic' but highlighting that such accidents are unfortunately a part of competitive skiing. Vonn's dramatic exit from the event not only affects her personal achieveements but also draws attention to the physical dangers that come with the sport, marking an emotional moment in this year's Winter Olympics.