Lindsey Vonn crashed during her downhill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics and has since undergone three surgeries
Lindsey Vonn suffered a high‑speed crash at the Milan‑Cortina Olympics(Image: Getty Images)
Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has shared an update on social media after undergoing her third surgery following the devastating crash that ended her Olympic dream at Milan‑Cortina. The American, 41, suffered a broken leg at the Milan Cortina Games and was airlifted to hospital after a serious crash – just over a week after rupturing her ACL.
Vonn, the Team USA skier clipped a gate, losing her balance and crashing into the slope just 13 seconds into her run in the women’s downhill. She received extensive treatment before being airlifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment.
Sharing an update on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Vonn wrote: “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.
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“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 was later confirmed that Vonn would need multiple surgeries to repair her leg, and she has now undergone her third. Ahead is a lengthy recovery period, though it’s possible the skier could return to the piste within a year.
Fellow skier Federica Brignone, who suffered multiple leg fractures and a torn anterior cruciate ligament at the 2025 Italian Championships last April, returned after just 10 months. The Italian competed against Vonn on Cortina’s Olympia piste.
“It’s always difficult to give an assessment without seeing the X‑rays,” Andrea Panzeri, head of the Medical Commission of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, told Reuters.
“It’s a complex fracture that, regardless of age, can limit an athlete’s career. But Brignone also had a serious fracture and she recovered.”
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Meanwhile, Filippo Pierfrancesco Calanna, an orthopaedic surgeon at Milan’s Gaetano Pini Orthopaedic and Trauma Centre, added: “It’s obvious that the older you are, the slower the recovery.
“Even though Vonn has exceptional physical qualities, physical recovery takes longer at her age. But much also depends on motivation and mindset.
“There is a risk that arthritis develops earlier which, over time, can lead to reduced joint function, stiffness and pain.”
However, Vonn’s history of injuries to the same leg, including a partial knee implant, could affect her recovery time.
