In an emotional and hopeful update from a hospital bed in northern Italy on Wednesday, American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn revealed she is making “steady progress” following her third surgical procedure to repair a severe leg injury sustained at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The news marks a bittersweet chapter in what was meant to be a storybook comeback for one of the sport’s greatest athletes.
Vonn, 41, shared her update on Instagram, posting from her recovery room in Treviso, Italy, where she continues to be treated after suffering a complex tibia fracture during the women’s downhill event on February 8. The crash occurred just 13 seconds into her run at the famed Olimpia delle Tofane course when she clipped a gate at high speed, lost control, and tumbled down the slope. Emergency teams quickly responded, and she was airlifted off the mountain to receive urgent medical care.
For many fans and fellow competitors, that dramatic moment wasn’t just an athletic accident, it was the end of Vonn’s highly anticipated Olympic comeback. After nearly six years away from competitive skiing, she had returned to the circuit in late 2024 and quickly re-established herself among the world’s elite, securing multiple World Cup podium finishes and victories earlier in the season. Her goal in Milan-Cortina was not only to compete but potentially make history as the oldest Olympic alpine skiing medallist.
Despite the setback, Vonn’s spirit remains undimmed. In her latest message, she expressed gratitude for the “beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world”, as well as deep thanks to the medical staff, friends, and family who have stood by her side through a difficult recovery process. “I had my third surgery today and it was successful,” she wrote, stressing that “success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.”
She added that her recovery, though slow, is continuing in the right direction: “I know I’ll be OK.” The surgery was part of a multi-stage plan to address the extensive damage to her left leg, which medical teams have said requires careful reconstruction.
Vonn’s road to the 2026 Games was itself an extraordinary story. In late January, she ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, just days before the Olympics yet made the bold decision to compete anyway, showing remarkable resilience and determination. The ACL injury was unrelated to the leg fracture sustained in Cortina, but her willingness to race under such physical adversity captivated fans around the world.
Her presence at the Olympics had become a feel-good narrative throughout the opening days of competition, with many heralding her return as one of the most inspiring moments of the Games. And while her dream of a medal was extinguished in that one fateful downhill run, Vonn made clear that she has “no regrets” about taking to the start gate in Cortina, an experience she described as unforgettable.
While her Olympic journey may have ended prematurely, support has poured in from across the sporting world from Team USA teammates to global icons in tennis, athletics, and beyond, all acknowledging her courage, legacy, and impact on generations of athletes.
As Vonn continues her recovery, speculation about her competitive future remains mixed, with family members urging caution and retirement considerations emerging alongside admiration for her resilience. But regardless of what comes next, her performance in Milan-Cortina and her openness about the challenges of recovery continues to resonate far beyond the ski slopes.
Her latest update is not only a medical milestone but a reminder of her indomitable spirit: even in the face of outcome-defining adversity, Lindsey Vonn remains an enduring symbol of perseverance and determination in sport.
