Milan-Cortina, Vonn: “I tore my ACL in Crans, but I should be there in the downhill”

Milan, Feb. 3 (LaPresse) – “In Crans-Montana I completely tore my left ACL, but I am confident I can compete on Sunday” in the downhill at the Milan-Cortina Games. This was said by American champion Lindsey Vonn during a press conference in Cortina, where she said she was convinced she could compete at the Olympics despite the injury to her left knee. Vonn said on Tuesday that she had “completely torn” her anterior cruciate ligament, had a bone bruise “as well as meniscus damage.” But after three days of physiotherapy and medical examinations, the American star returned to skiing on Tuesday wearing a knee brace. “I feel it stable, I feel it strong,” she said, adding that she was “confident” she could race. “I will do everything possible to be at the starting gate,” she added. Vonn fell during a downhill in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday and ended up in the safety nets. After skiing down to the bottom of the course, she was transported by helicopter for medical treatment. The 41-year-old American is one of the biggest stars of the Winter Games, which will begin on Friday with the opening ceremony. Her first race will come two days later, in the women’s downhill on Sunday. Vonn had also planned to compete in the Super-G and the new team combined event. The first training run of the women’s downhill is scheduled for Thursday.