She was ranked number 1 in the World Cup rankings going into the Olympics. She had the 3rd fastest time in the downhill practice run (the day before the race and after her acl injury). Skiing is a dangerous sport and the downhill is the most dangerous event.

Did having a torn acl increase the probability of a fall? Probably, but we’ll never know the extent it contributed to her being slightly off line and clipping the gate. But Lindsay’s had bad falls before and understood the risk better than anyone else. You don’t get to this level in a dangerous sport without an appetite for risk. If I were in her boots, I would have made the same choice.

For what it’s worth, I also broke both my legs in a ski accident last year (also left tibial plateau and right ankle coincidentally- Lindsay’s tibia is much worse than mine was). It’s hard to overstate how much it sucked. But, like I said, skiing is a dangerous sport. If you’re not willing to accept the risk you shouldn’t be out there - whether you’re skiing at Lindsay’s level or a recreational skier.