Lindsey Vonn Provides Update After Fourth Surgery Post-Olympics Accident
Lindsey Vonn isn’t seeking sympathy after her fourth surgery stemming from the severe crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“Surgery went well today!” she shared. “I’m grateful to finally return to the US! Once home, I’ll provide further updates regarding my injury… But for now, as I reflect from my bed, there are some thoughts I’d like to share…” Vonn, aged 41, posted on Instagram on Saturday, February 14, along with a video of her skiing.
“I’ve been seeing many messages expressing sadness about my situation,” Vonn continued. “Please, do not feel sad. I appreciate empathy, love, and support, but sadness and sympathy aren’t welcome. Instead, I hope this inspires you to find your strength to keep fighting, just like I am—and will continue to do. Always.”
Vonn elaborated, “When recalling my crash, I didn’t enter the starting gate unaware of the possible consequences. I knew the risks involved and chose to embrace them. Every skier in that gate accepted the same risk because, despite being the strongest, the mountain always has the upper hand.”
Fans and supporters of Team USA are closely following Vonn’s journey back to professional skiing since her announcement of a return post-retirement in 2019 after the World Championships in Sweden.
While competing in a World Cup race in Switzerland on January 30, Vonn completely tore her ACL, just nine days ahead of Olympic competition.
“After extensive consultations with my doctors, rigorous therapy, and physical assessments, I have determined I am fit to compete in the Olympic Downhill on Sunday,” Vonn stated on February 1, indicating her resolve to race even with a compromised ACL. “Of course, I still need to complete one training run to qualify for Sunday, but… I’m confident in my body’s capabilities. Despite my injuries, my knee is stable, there’s no swelling, and my muscles are responding as they should.”
Vonn took to the slope on February 8 for her women’s downhill run. Tragically, 13 seconds into her run, she crashed and was airlifted to an Italian hospital. Following the incident, she underwent “an orthopedic operation to stabilize a fracture in her left leg,” as reported by the Ca’ Foncello hospital.
“I was willing to take risks and push myself for something I believed I could achieve,” Vonn continued on Saturday. “I’d rather risk crashing while giving my all than to ski at less than my potential and regret it. I never want to cross a finish line and say, ‘what if?’ To be honest, I felt physically stronger in that moment than I have often in the past—and much stronger than I was when I concluded my career in 2019 with a bronze at the World Championships.”
Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the ski course after an accident in Switzerland just days before her anticipated return to the Olympics. Vonn, 41, lost control during her World Cup Race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, on January 30, becoming entangled in the safety nets. Following medical assistance […]
Vonn commented, “Mentally… I was in the perfect state. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive, yet completely calm… just as I practiced during my podium finishes all season. Two wins and leading the standings… that was all preparation for the Olympics. Mentally, I was more ready than ever.”
She concluded her message by emphasizing that, “Just because I felt ready” for the 2026 Winter Olympics “didn’t guarantee me anything.”
“Nothing in life is certain. That’s the gamble of pursuing your dreams; you might stumble, but if you don’t take the chance, you won’t know,” she affirmed. “So please, don’t feel sad. The journey was worth the fall. At night, I don’t have regrets, and my passion for skiing remains. I look forward to the moment when I can stand atop the mountain once again. And I will.”
