For Lindsey Vonn, the road back to the mountains has been a test of resilience unlike anything she has experienced throughout her illustrious skiing career. Nearly nine months after a devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, the American skiing legend has taken another important step in her recovery, confirming that her ninth surgery since the accident went well.
The 42-year-old shared the update on Wednesday, November 11, following a procedure performed on Monday at the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colorado. The surgery was aimed at addressing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee, which she sustained in a separate crash during the World Cup season before the Olympics.
“Surgery went well,” she wrote in a social media post accompanied by a picture of herself recovering in a hospital bed. “Will give you an update soon.” The latest procedure marks a significant milestone in Vonn’s lengthy rehabilitation journey, although another challenging recovery period awaits the three-time Olympic medallist. Vonn’s latest operation was different from her previous eight procedures, which primarily focused on stabilising and reconstructing the severe fractures she sustained during her Olympic downhill crash.
The American had been waiting for her fractured bones to heal sufficiently before doctors could proceed with ACL reconstruction. The procedure involved removing the metal plates, screws and other hardware that had been inserted during her earlier surgeries to stabilise the damaged leg. Explaining the process ahead of the operation, Vonn said, “Basically what we’re doing is removing all of the plates and screws, and just basically removing all the hardware so we can put in a new ACL.” Following the surgery, she also shared a photograph of the removed hardware, captioning it, “Got all this (s—) out of my leg.”
The procedure represents the first direct surgical intervention to repair the ACL injury that had remained untreated while doctors prioritised healing the extensive fractures. However, the recovery process is far from complete. Vonn is expected to require another six to nine months of rehabilitation, making the coming months crucial in determining her physical progress. The severity of Vonn’s injury becomes even more significant when viewed against her form heading into the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The American had been enjoying an impressive return to competitive skiing after coming out of retirement in 2024.
Following a partial right knee replacement, she returned to the World Cup circuit and gradually re-established herself among the leading competitors in alpine skiing. Her comeback gathered considerable momentum during the 2025-26 season. Vonn won downhill races in St. Moritz and Zauchensee and consistently finished among the leading competitors in speed events. However, her Olympic campaign took a devastating turn after she ruptured the ACL in her left knee during a World Cup crash in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, shortly before the Games.
Despite the injury, Vonn decided to compete at the Olympics, having received medical guidance and believing she could still perform with appropriate support. On February 8, during the women’s downhill event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, her Olympic ambitions ended just 13 seconds into her run. After catching a gate while navigating a rise, she lost control and suffered a violent crash. She was airlifted from the mountain and taken to a hospital in Treviso, Italy, where she underwent emergency surgery for multiple fractures, including a compound fracture and a tibial plateau fracture in her left leg.
The severity of the injuries also raised concerns about potential complications that could have threatened the limb. The accident resulted in an extended period of hospitalisation, multiple operations and rehabilitation before she could finally return to the United States. While the latest surgery offers encouraging news, questions remain about whether Vonn will return to professional ski racing.
Speaking to The Athletic ahead of the procedure, the American admitted that she was eager to complete the operation before making any decisions about her future. “I wish I could be out there,” she said of the World Cup season, which begins its downhill programme next month in Beaver Creek, Colorado. “I want to get through this surgery and see where things are, and we’ll see, you know, if I physically and mentally want to keep skiing, or if I’ll just be out there recreationally.”
Vonn has made it clear that she does not want to completely close the door on competitive skiing. However, her immediate priority remains regaining full fitness and assessing how her body responds to rehabilitation. Her journey back to the sport has already demonstrated her determination. After announcing her retirement in 2019 because of recurring injuries, she returned to competition in December 2024 following her right knee replacement. Her comeback produced another memorable moment in March 2025, when she secured a World Cup podium finish in the super-G at Sun Valley, finishing second.
With 84 World Cup victories and three Olympic medals, Vonn remains one of the most decorated athletes in alpine skiing history. Her achievements have placed her among the sport’s all-time greats, alongside fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin, who has since surpassed her career victory tally. For an athlete whose career has been defined by speed, competition and pushing physical boundaries, Vonn’s current challenge represents an entirely different kind of sporting battle. Her ninth surgery is an encouraging development, but it should not be mistaken for confirmation of an imminent comeback.
The next six to nine months will be particularly important as she works towards rebuilding strength, mobility and confidence in her injured leg. At 42, Vonn has already achieved almost everything the sport has to offer. Her return from retirement demonstrated that her competitive ambitions remained strong, but the severity of the Olympic accident has introduced an uncertain chapter. For now, the focus is on completing rehabilitation and returning to the mountains, whether competitively or recreationally. Regardless of what comes next, her determination to continue fighting through one of the most difficult injury setbacks of her career remains a significant part of her sporting legacy.
