Lindsey Vonn Releases Surgery Statement After Horror Crash at Olympics
US Winter Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn has issued another update to fans after undergoing a third surgery following her brutal crash at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Games.
Forty-one-year old Vonn, who returned to skiing in 2024 following a six-year absence, had entered the event carrying ruptured ligaments in her left knee, which she sustained just nine days before the start of the Games.
Despite this, she still decided to compete in Italy but suffered an unrelated injury just 13 seconds into Sunday’s (February 8) downhill competition in Cortina.
Vonn struck a gate, which threw her off balance, before she crashed to the ground.
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The American, who won gold at the 2010 Vancouver Games, was airlifted to Treviso hospital, where she underwent surgery on a fractured left leg.
On Monday (February 9), she issued an update to fans in which she said that her “past injuries” and ACL tear “had nothing to do” with Sunday’s crash while saying she still “had no regrets” about her decision to compete while injured.
Vonn wrote: “I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.
“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly."
She has since posted on Instagram confirming that a third surgery was “successful”.
Alongside a photograph of Vonn in a hospital bed, a caption read: “I had my 3rd surgery today, and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress, and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.
“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world. Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
It is unclear if Vonn will retire from the sport due to her injuries. However, her father admitted that he wanted her to call time on her career following Sunday's crash.
“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” Alan Kildow told The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”
Luke Davies