Skiing icon Lindsey Vonn provided an update on her health status via social media after undergoing her third surgery following a severe crash that shattered her Olympic aspirations at the Milan-Cortina games. The 41-year-old American sustained a leg fracture during the event and required immediate hospitalization after a harrowing accident, just days after tearing her ACL.
During the women’s downhill competition, Vonn, a prominent member of Team USA, collided with a gate, leading to a loss of balance and a subsequent crash within the first 13 seconds of her run. Following the incident, she received extensive on-site medical attention before being airlifted to a nearby medical facility for further care.
Taking to Instagram on Wednesday evening, Vonn shared, “I underwent a successful third surgery today. The definition of success has evolved significantly for me in the past few days. Despite the slow progress, I remain optimistic about my recovery. I express gratitude to the exceptional medical staff, my supportive friends and family, and the overwhelming outpouring of love and encouragement from individuals worldwide.”
She also extended congratulations to her fellow teammates and all Team USA athletes for their inspiring performances, providing her with motivation and a source of cheer during her rehabilitation journey.
Following her leg injury at the games, it was confirmed that Vonn would need multiple surgical interventions, with the recent procedure marking her third. While a prolonged recovery period lies ahead, there is a possibility that she could make a return to skiing within a year.
In a similar vein, professional skier Federica Brignone, who endured severe leg fractures and an ACL tear during the 2025 Italian Championships, made a remarkable comeback after just 10 months. Brignone competed alongside Vonn at the Cortina’s Olympia piste.
Andrea Panzeri, the head of the Medical Commission of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, remarked, “Assessing the situation without reviewing X-rays is challenging. The type of fracture sustained can potentially impact an athlete’s career regardless of their age. However, Brignone managed to recover from a similar serious injury.”
Filippo Pierfrancesco Calanna, an orthopedic surgeon at Milan’s Gaetano Pini Orthopedic and Trauma Centre, highlighted that recovery tends to be slower for older individuals like Vonn due to various factors, including physical attributes, motivation, and mindset. There is also a risk of early onset arthritis, leading to joint limitations and discomfort over time.
Moreover, Vonn’s history of previous leg injuries, including a partial knee implant, may influence the duration of her recovery process.