Alpine skiing has been on the Winter Games calendar since the fourth edition of the event in Germany, with downhill becoming a staple in 1948 in Switzerland. The mesmerizing speeds and incredible skill that competitors show while zooming down the slopes.

Mexican Alpine skier Sarah Schleper and her son Lasse Gaxiola are set to make history at the Winter Olympics. (AP photo)

Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn and Ryan Cochran-Siegle are among the Americans to watch when Alpine skiing events get underway in Cortina and Bormio.

The women's Alpine skiing downhill event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics will air on NBC and USA Network, and stream live on Peacock and NBC Olympics platforms on Sunday, Feb. 8.

Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, Ryan Cochran-Siegle—meet the most anticipated athletes of the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games.

An ACL is central to knee stability, particularly in downhill skiing, where racers reach speeds exceeding 80 mph while absorbing repeated compressive forces. Medical experts consulted by People emphasized that skiing without an intact ACL is possible but increases the risk of instability and secondary damage.

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy (AP) — A week after rupturing the ACL in her left knee, Lindsey Vonn opened her chase for Olympic gold at the age of 41 with an aggressive and successful training run down the Olympia delle Tofane downhill course on Friday, two days before the race.

Team USA star skier Lindsey Vonn takes part in her first training session at the Winter Olympics, battling a serious injury two days before her first event.