Lindsey Vonn’s hopes of winning more medals for the United States have hit a snag, as the injury bug bit her in the Winter Olympics 2026. Her comeback bid was ruined after she suffered a devastating injury in the quadrennial event, and because of her advancing age, many believe the 41-year-old’s Olympic dream is finished.
Despite Vonn’s recent setback, the United States are doing okay in the Milano Cortina. They are currently fourth in the medal tally with two golds, three silvers, and two bronzes for a total of seven medals – only five adrift of frontrunners Norway.
Norway are on top again after grabbing six golds, two silvers, and four bronzes in the first few days. And according to the Winter Olympics 2026 odds, they’re poised to finish at the top of the table. Behind them are Italy and Japan with 11 and eight medals. Germany and Sweden have six medals each, whereas Switzerland and Austria have five apiece.
End of the road for Vonn?
Lindsey Vonn was supposed to be making a remarkable comeback in the Winter Olympics after a nearly six-year hiatus. But her bid ended in heartbreak in the women’s downhill race last Sunday.
In just 13 seconds into her opening run, the three-time Olympic medalist sustained a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. Vonn’s right shoulder clipped the bright neon-red slalom gate, which snapped her into a horrific tumble down the slope. As she screamed in pain, medical personnel came to her rescue, and Vonn left the event on a helicopter airlift.
Vonn has been known for defying the odds throughout her decorated career. She was iffy to compete when she crashed in Switzerland and sustained a knee injury nine days before the Milano Cortina. Still, that didn’t stop her from fighting through a torn ACL, a meniscus damage, and a bone bruise.
In her latest social media post, Vonn said she had no regrets and that her past injuries were not linked to the frightening fall in her bid to win another gold, which went to her United States teammate, Breezy Johnson. But on the other hand, Vonn’s father, Alan Kildow, wants her to stop racing after she broke her left leg over the weekend. After all, Lindsey Vonn is one of the best to ever do it, with 84 wins and 12 World Cup triumphs.
Kimura leads one-two finish in Big Air final
Kira Kimura became the first Japanese athlete to win a gold medal in the Men’s Big Air competition at this year’s Winter Olympics. The 21-year-old prodigy shone bright at the Livigno Snow Park in Valtellina, Italy, beating compatriot Ryoma Kimata, who took home the silver. Yiming Su from China took the final podium spot and took home the bronze, becoming the first man to secure two Top 3 finishes.
After his backside 1980 melon that scored 89 points (only 0.75 points ahead of Su at the time), Kimura scored 90.5 points on his switch backside 1980, which catapulted him into the top spot, with Kimata and Su still to go. Su also delivered a switch backside 1980 on his final run, and while his hand touched the ground on his landing, the 2022 champion earned 80.25 points to move into third place. Kimata was the last to drop in, but he washed out on the landing and took silver. At 171.5 points, he finished eight points behind Kimura (179.5) and 11 points ahead of Su (168.5).
Oliver Martin entered the field as the youngest participant, and the 17-year-old American did well by finishing fourth with 163 points, just ahead of crowd favourite Ian Matteoli (162.5). Meanwhile, Kimura and Kimata’s teammate, Hiroto Ogiwara, finished only 12th after crashing out on all three jumps after finishing top of qualification.
Klæbo on the verge of making history for Norway
Cross-country skiing icon Johannes Høsflot Klæbo already has two gold medals in Milano Cortina, following a dominant performance in the men’s sprint classic, filled with Winter Olympics 2026 highlights. The 29-year-old Norwegian, who crossed the finish line first in three minutes and 39.74 seconds at the Tesero Cross-country Ski Stadium, bested Ben Ogden and Oskar Opstad Vike, who won the silver and bronze, respectively.
With his latest victory, Klæbo’s bid to become the most decorated men’s Olympic cross-country skier of all time is very much alive. Bjørn Dæhlie holds the current record with a tally of eight Olympic gold medals, so Klæbo needs one more to at least match his compatriot. His next opportunity comes at the men’s 10km interval start free on Friday.
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