Share and Follow
Lindsey Vonn remains unwavering in her resilience after a fourth surgery following her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Today’s surgery went smoothly!” Vonn shared on Instagram on Saturday, February 14. “Fortunately, I’ll soon be heading back to the US. Once I’m back, I’ll provide more updates on my injury. Until then, as I lie here contemplating, I have a few thoughts to express,” she added, accompanied by a video of her skiing.
Vonn continued, “I’ve seen many messages and comments expressing sadness over my situation. Please don’t be sad. I’m open to receiving empathy, love, and support, but not sympathy or sadness. Instead, I hope my experience inspires you to persevere, as that’s exactly what I’m doing and will continue to do. Always.”
Reflecting on her accident, Vonn added, “When I was at the starting gate, I was fully aware of the risks. I chose to take that leap. Every skier at that gate makes the same decision. No matter how strong you are, the mountain always has the upper hand.”
Vonn’s latest injury occurred during her ski run on Sunday, February 8, at the Winter Olympics. After the accident, an Italian hospital reported that Vonn “underwent an orthopedic procedure to stabilize a fracture in her left leg” and is being “cared for by a multidisciplinary team.” Despite the setback, it was noted that “she’ll be okay, but it’s […]”
Team USA supporters and fans across the world have been following Vonn’s road to the 2026 Winter Olympics after she announced her return to professional skiing. (Vonn retired in 2019 following the World Championships in Sweden, but announced her comeback in 2024.)
While competing at a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30, Vonn tore her ACL completely — just nine days before Olympic competition.
“After extensive consultations with doctors, intense therapy, physical tests as well as skiing today, I have determined I am capable of competing in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday,” Vonn said on February 1, noting she planned to race even without her ACL in tact. “Of course I will still need to do one training run, as is required to race on Sunday, but… I am confident in my body’s ability to perform. Despite my injuries my knee is stable, I do not have swelling and my muscles are firing and reacting as they should.”
Vonn took the slope on Sunday, February 8, for her women’s downhill run. Unfortunately, tragedy struck 13 seconds into her run when she crashed and was eventually airlifted from the course to an Italian hospital. Vonn subsequently “underwent an orthopedic operation to stabilize a fracture reported in her left leg” and was “treated by a multidisciplinary team,” a statement released by the Ca’ Foncello hospital said at the time.
“I was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing,” Vonn continued on Saturday. “I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather not ski to my potential and have regret. I never want to cross [a] finish line and say, ‘what if?’ And to be perfectly honest, I was stronger physically in that moment than I have been often in the past. Certainly stronger than I was when I ended [my] career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships.”
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the course after a crash in Switzerland, just days before she is scheduled to make her miraculous return to the Olympics. Vonn, 41, lost control during her World Cup Race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on Friday, January 30, eventually ending up tangled in the course’s safety nets. After receiving medical assistance […]
Vonn added, “And mentally… Mentally I was perfect. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive yet completely calm… just as I had practiced over the past few months when I was on the podium in every downhill this season. 2 wins and leading the standings… that was all a test to prepare me for the Olympics. Mentally, I was more ready than I had ever been.”
Vonn concluded her post by pointing out that “just because I was ready” for the 2026 Winter Olympics “didn’t guarantee me anything.”
“Nothing in life is guaranteed. That’s the gamble of chasing your dreams, you might fall but if you don’t try you’ll never know,” she added. “So please, don’t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”