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Gwyneth Paltrow enthusiastically supported her close friend, Lindsey Vonn, as the legendary skier made her much-anticipated return to competitive skiing. On Friday, February 6, the actress expressed her excitement on Instagram, celebrating Vonn’s first Olympic trial run since the ski star suffered an ACL tear in her left knee.
After completing a challenging run of about 100 seconds and reaching the finish line with a confident smile, Vonn had the full backing of Paltrow, who affectionately referred to her as “sister.” In a heartfelt message on her Instagram Stories, the 53-year-old actress shared a photo of the three-time Olympic medalist, writing, “Love you so much sister.”
Paltrow added a touch of encouragement, wishing Vonn well with the words, “May the wind be at your back and angels at your side [and knee].” Her support didn’t stop there; over another image showcasing Vonn poised for action, Paltrow kept her message straightforward and motivating: “Let’s GO.”
‘May the wind be at your back and angels at your side [and knee],’ she added.
Over another image of Vonn geared up and ready to race, Paltrow kept it simple with a rallying cry: ‘Let’s GO.’
Despite suffering a ‘complete’ ACL tear along with bone bruising and meniscal damage just last week, Vonn, 41, has made it clear she’s still competing – and could make Olympic history if she medals in any of the three Alpine events.
Gwyneth Paltrow was in full hype-squad mode for her ‘sister’ Lindsey Vonn as the ski icon made her highly anticipated return to the slopes; (pictured January 10)
The actress took to Instagram on Friday, February 6, to cheer Vonn on as she completed her first Olympic trial run since tearing the ACL in her left knee; (pictured 2024)
Reese Witherspoon also jumped in with A-list encouragement, sharing a photo of the skier on her Instagram with the caption, ‘I believe in you. @lindseyvonn.’
Vonn was quick to respond, writing back with a heartfelt message of her own: ‘The best friends and support I could ever ask for.’
The five-time Olympian is scheduled to compete in the women’s downhill on Sunday, February 8, the team combined on February 10, and the Super-G on February 12 – though Vonn has said she plans to reassess after each race.
Just a day earlier, on Thursday, Vonn shared a video of herself powering through a workout while wearing a brace on her left knee, showing little sign of slowing down.
During the intense training session, the ski star knocked out weighted squats, jumps and furious prone flutter kicks, proving she’s still very much in fight mode.
‘I’m not giving up working as hard as I can to make it happen!’ Vonn wrote in the caption.Â
‘Thank you to my team and everyone for your incredible support. Keep believing.’
Vonn’s return comes after a terrifying crash on January 30, when she was airlifted to hospital following her final downhill competition in Switzerland.
 ‘Love you so much sister,’ Paltrow wrote alongside a photo of the three-time Olympic medalist on her Instagram Stories
Over another image of Vonn geared up and ready to race, Paltrow kept it simple with a rallying cry: ‘Let’s GO’Â
Reese Witherspoon also jumped in with A-list encouragement, sharing a photo of the skier on her Instagram with the caption, ‘I believe in you. @lindseyvonn’ (pictured 2025)
Vonn was quick to respond, writing back with a heartfelt message of her own: ‘The best friends and support I could ever ask for’
The skiing legend lost control after landing a jump and slid into the safety net, remaining down for several moments as medical staff rushed to her side before she was able to ski to the bottom of the course.
Onlookers noted that Vonn appeared to clutch her left knee, repeatedly stopping to check it and taking weight off the leg as she limped, according to reports.
Once at the bottom, she hugged fellow U.S. skier Jacqueline Wiles before entering a medical tent for evaluation, later being airlifted by helicopter from the Swiss Alps.
Despite the setback, Vonn is no stranger to injury, having suffered multiple torn ACLs and countless setbacks throughout her career.Â
In 2024, she underwent a partial titanium knee replacement – a procedure she credits as a key reason behind her competitive return to skiing after retiring in 2019.