When does Lindsey Vonn compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics? That’s the question the skiing world is buzzing about as the American alpine legend makes a dramatic return to Olympic competition in Italy. At 41 years old and facing one of the toughest physical tests of her career, Vonn has stepped back onto Olympic snow, ready to race in the women’s downhill and potentially other events during the Milan Cortina Games this February — despite a serious knee injury.
Right now, Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic downhill race is scheduled for Sunday, February 8, 2026, marking her much-anticipated Olympic return. Her participation comes after two official training runs on the Tofane Alpine skiing course, where she showed resilience and speed even with a brace on her injured knee. The training sessions took place on February 6 and 7, with Vonn completing both runs as she prepared for the main event.
If you want to see Vonn in action live or on streaming platforms, coverage of Alpine skiing at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics begins on February 7 and continues through the schedule of women’s speed events. Sunday’s downhill — the highlight of her current plan — gets underway early in the morning (5:30 a.m. Eastern) and will be broadcast across major networks and streaming services offering Olympic coverage.
Now, let’s break down her schedule, her injury situation, and what fans can expect from the skiing legend’s performance at this year’s Games.
A Comeback Story: Lindsey Vonn Returns to Olympic Skiing
After retiring from competitive skiing in 2019, Lindsey Vonn sparked excitement in November 2024 when she officially announced her comeback with the goal of competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. This marked her first Olympic bid since the 2018 PyeongChang Games. Vonn’s return has been impressive; she dominated many races leading up to the Olympics, climbing podiums and showing that age hadn’t slowed her competitive drive.
Just days before the Games officially opened, however, she suffered a complete rupture of her left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during a downhill World Cup race in Switzerland. Most athletes might have stepped away from competition, especially at the Olympic level. But Vonn chose a different path. She committed to racing — embracing the challenge with unwavering determination.
Olympic Downhill: When Does Lindsey Vonn Compete?
The key question fans are asking is:
➡️ When does Lindsey Vonn compete at the Milan Cortina Olympics?
Here’s the confirmed schedule:
Alpine Skiing Downhill — Women
- Training Runs: February 6–7, 2026
- Main Race: Sunday, February 8, 2026
Those dates reflect the official downhill schedule for women’s alpine skiing at the 2026 Winter Olympics. Sunday’s downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo is the pinnacle event for Vonn at these Games.
Training runs earlier in the week were essential — athletes must complete at least one official run to qualify for the Olympic downhill. Vonn completed both runs, proving her knee could handle the demands of the course, even under brace support.
Injury and Determination: Vonn’s Path to the Start Gate
The most talked-about aspect of Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic quest is her injury. After tearing her ACL just over a week before competition began, she faced a decision many athletes never have to make — compete with a major knee injury or sit out. Instead of withdrawing, she returned to training and completed downhill practice runs with a knee brace.
Medical experts point out that downhill skiing, unlike other sports with frequent cutting and pivoting, places more linear demands on the body. Although the risk remains significant, Vonn’s experience and physical conditioning give her the best chance possible under the circumstances.
Across two official training sessions, she completed strong downhill runs, even posting competitive times among other elite racers. This helped her secure her place at the starting gate on February 8.
What to Watch: Vonn’s 2026 Olympic Race Day
When Lindsey Vonn competes on February 8, all eyes will be on her performance in the women’s downhill event. Here’s what you should know:
- Location: Olimpia delle Tofane course, Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy
- Event: Women’s Downhill Alpine Skiing
- Start Time: Early morning (U.S. Eastern) coverage begins around 5:30 a.m.
- Broadcast Options: National TV networks and online platforms streaming Olympic events
The downhill race is known as the fastest and most thrilling alpine skiing discipline. Athletes reach incredible speeds while navigating technical turns, challenging jumps, and variable snow conditions. Vonn’s experience on this course — where she has a long track record — gives her an advantage even under difficult physical circumstances.
Beyond Downhill: Possible Additional Races
Before her injury, Vonn was also expected to start in other events besides the downhill, including the women’s super-G and team combined races. While her current focus is firmly on downhill, Vonn and her coaching team may reassess her knee after Sunday’s event to determine whether she’ll participate in additional Olympic races later in the schedule.
Those potential events are:
- Women’s Team Combined: Scheduled for later in the Olympic program
- Women’s Super-G: Set for mid-Olympics competition
Final decisions on additional starts will depend on how her body responds to the downhill, early-season evaluations, and daily medical checks during the Games.
Why This Moment Matters for Vonn and Fans
This Olympic chapter is significant for Lindsey Vonn on many levels. She is already recognized as one of the greatest U.S. alpine skiers in history, with multiple Olympic medals and World Cup titles. But her return to competition at 41 — after retirement, knee replacement surgery, and now a torn ACL — represents one of the boldest comebacks in winter sports.
Her presence at the start gate on February 8 is a testament to grit, preparation, and the pursuit of a dream that refuses to be derailed by adversity.
How to Follow the Action and Watch Lindsey Vonn Compete
If you want to watch Lindsey Vonn race, tune into Olympic coverage on February 8 when the women’s downhill kicks off. Coverage typically begins early in the U.S. with a mix of live broadcast and online streaming options. Check your local TV listings and streaming services for precise start times and access details to ensure you don’t miss a moment of the action.
The lens of the world will be watching as one of America’s ski legends takes on one of the most challenging courses on the biggest stage in sports.
Share your thoughts on Lindsey Vonn’s comeback and stay tuned for more Olympic updates — we’d love to hear your predictions!