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Since coming out of retirement, Lindsey Vonn has been dreaming big—imagining every twist and turn of the downhill course at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. That dream has kept her going at 40, even after a partial knee replacement. Every tough race, ski tweak, and grueling physio session this season has been about chasing one last shot at Olympic glory. But now, heartbreak is creeping in as she heads into her final home race, leaving fans feeling emotional after she shared a heartfelt note.

Lindsey Vonn had her sights set on one last memorable race on home soil. She was ready to soak in every moment of the downhill and super-G finals during the ongoing Ski World Cup season. But this wasn’t just another race—it was something deeper. Idaho, where the event was set to take place, is the hometown of Picabo Street, the skiing legend who inspired Vonn’s career. Wrapping up her U.S. journey in the same place where her idol’s story began felt like a full-circle moment. But just when everything seemed perfectly aligned, fate had other plans.

Late on March 22, Lindsey Vonn shared some heartbreaking news on Instagram -the race was canceled. She shared a post that read, “Sad that the downhill was canceled today… but grateful to everyone who worked around the clock to try to make it happen.” She further added, “Mother Nature was not on our side today..” Unfortunately, Mother Nature wasn’t playing nice.

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Heavy snowfall the night before left the tracks in rough shape, and despite hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly through the night to fix them, strong winds ultimately forced the race to be called off. She added, “Hoping tomorrow we will have an amazing super-g and I can have one final speed race in the United States. I haven’t had many opportunities to ski speed at home so I will give it my all for the home crowd. Bib 17 LFG 💪🏻”💪🏻

The cancellation hit hard—not just for Lindsey Vonn but for the fans who had been eager to see her race one last time on home snow. Earlier in the week, Vonn had told The Associated Press, “This season is just a test run to see what I can do. Just trying to get the kinks worked out so that next year will hopefully be more like it used to be.” But after this disappointing turn of events, fans couldn’t help but feel let down. Still, they didn’t let her face it alone.

Fans rally behind Lindsey Vonn

One fan cheered, “You rock, lady!! I’m so hoping you lay the winning run down tomorrow!! It’s yours!!” Another added, “As always, we hope for the best from you. Go Lindsey Go!! 💪💪⛷️,” One devoted supporter even shared, “I’m driving over from Boise in the morning just to watch your race! Can’t wait to see you ski!!!! 🔥,” At 40, Lindsey was the oldest competitor in the finals, ranked 17th in the super-G and 19th in the downhill. But age and rankings? Please. They were just numbers.

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Fans weren’t just rooting for a legend—they were rallying behind someone who had fought battles most wouldn’t dare to face. Lindsey’s career was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, with injury after injury testing her limits. Multiple surgeries couldn’t silence the pain, and eventually, she retired in 2019. But if there’s one thing the world knows about Lindsey, it’s that she’s never one to back down. That fighting spirit kept her going, even when her body was screaming otherwise.

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via Imago

Fast forward to April 2024, and everything changed. Lindsey Vonn underwent a partial knee replacement, swapping constant pain for freedom with a titanium implant in her right knee. The transformation was almost magical—suddenly, she could move without agony, not just as an athlete but as a person finally free from years of suffering. And what did Lindsey do with that freedom? She went straight back to where she belonged: the slopes. And here she is, back where she belongs—ready to chase that thrill once more.

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Another fan chimed in, “Everyone is cheering for you and can’t wait to watch you ski! 🔥🙌.” Meanwhile, another user shared their excitement, saying, “Was so excited to see you race today, but safety always comes first. It was super windy! I sat next to a young woman who had slipped the course all night battling the new snowfall. Still had a blast at the base and can’t wait for tomorrow—send it! 🔥🔥🔥”

However, with the Idaho race now canceled, it seems like it’s for the best. Mother Nature had other plans, and sometimes, safety wins out. But knowing Lindsey Vonn, this delay is just a pause—she’ll be ready to take on whatever comes next.

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