BBC Broadcaster Emotional After Lindsey Vonn’s Devastating Crash at 2026 Winter Olympics
While the crowd fell silent following Lindsey Vonn’s frightening crash, BBC broadcaster Chemmy Alcott struggled to hold back tears.
Alcott, a former British downhill skier who raced alongside Vonn during her career, was visibly emotional as the decorated American athlete was attended to by medical staff just 13 seconds into her downhill run on Sunday morning at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The crash came after Vonn had previously injured her left knee during a tune-up run, rupturing her ACL.
“I feel guilty that I am this emotional. I just never believed it would end in a clump at the side of the piste, not moving,” Alcott said, speaking at the finish line, according to The Daily Mail. “What we saw is that the top of the piste is really hard for even a fit athlete. She only had her right knee to rely on. It’s brutal. Think about her family, her team, and herself. We have to be realistic—the risk she takes is huge, and if she falls, her body may not be able to handle it.”
Chemmy Alcott Emotional as Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After 2026 Olympics Downhill Crash
BBC Olympics commentator and former skier Chemmy Alcott spoke about Lindsey Vonn’s shocking crash during the women’s downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“There is clapping and hope that she would be okay, but they have put up some background music because it is uncomfortable,” Alcott said.
Vonn, 41, was eventually placed on a stretcher and airlifted from the course to a hospital via helicopter. The race was temporarily suspended for about 20 minutes before resuming.
“This sport is tough, and you are pushing yourself to your limit at speed,” Alcott added. “We have a standing ovation now as the helicopter goes.”
Following the incident, U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed that Vonn was being evaluated by medical staff.
Lindsey Vonn Crashes in Women’s Downhill; Airlifted to Hospital as Family and Teammates Look On
A screen grab from video footage shows Lindsey Vonn of the United States crashing during the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott later reported that the three-time Olympic medalist would likely be flown to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, as local medical facilities might not have the specialized care she needs. The doctor who guided Vonn through her previous ACL injury was reportedly on the helicopter as well.
Alcott wasn’t the only one shaken by the crash. Vonn’s family and Team USA teammates were visibly emotional during the race delay, with many holding their heads in disbelief as they watched the situation unfold.
Breezy Johnson Wins U.S.’s First Gold at 2026 Winter Olympics Amid Lindsey Vonn Crash
Lindsey Vonn of the United States crashed during the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Despite the dramatic incident, Breezy Johnson went on to set an early pace and claim the gold medal in the event—the first Olympic gold for the U.S. at these Games. Johnson also became only the second American woman to win Olympic downhill gold, joining Lindsey Vonn, who achieved the feat at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
“Breezy Johnson will not be enjoying sitting in that [gold medal] chair—we all know what Lindsey has done for our sport,” BBC commentator Chemmy Alcott said. “Lindsey was an early bib number, and the temperature is increasing, so the later athletes are taking a big risk.”
