Vonn's downhill bid after ACL tear is extraordinary but possible

Lindsey Vonn ruptured her ACL and plans to ski with a brace; a U.S. musculoskeletal expert said an Olympic return would be extraordinary but not impossible. She is scheduled to begin downhill training on Thursday and is targeting Sunday's downhill.

Lindsey Vonn announced she ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament in a crash at Crans Montana last Friday. She also reported bone bruising and meniscal damage and said she plans to ski using a brace. A U.S. musculoskeletal scientist, Douglas Van Citters of Dartmouth College, told Reuters that Vonn's attempt to race downhill days after the injury would be extraordinary but not impossible. He noted that elite conditioning, intact surrounding structures and external knee support could allow some athletes to function without an ACL, while a torn ACL is typically a season-ending injury requiring months of recovery. Key details: - Vonn, 41, reported a complete ACL rupture along with bone bruising and meniscal damage. - She has said she feels stable after treatment and plans to use an external brace while skiing. - Douglas Van Citters said some individuals can function without an ACL if surrounding muscles and ligaments stabilise the knee. - A torn ACL is usually season-ending and generally requires surgery and six to nine months of rehabilitation. - Vonn is scheduled to begin downhill training on Thursday and is targeting the downhill on Sunday; she has not decided on racing beyond that. Summary: Van Citters described an Olympic return so soon after an ACL rupture as extraordinary but potentially possible depending on knee stability and support. Vonn's immediate next step is downhill training on Thursday with Sunday's downhill as her current target; her plans beyond that are undetermined at this time.