Lindsey Vonn hopes to go home after another surgery following crash in Olympic downhill

Lindsey Vonn will undergo another surgery Saturday on her broken left leg at an Italian hospital before potentially returning home for further medical treatment, the skiing champion announced Friday.

The 41-year-old American skiing legend provided the update through a video message on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received since her devastating crash during the Olympic downhill race at the Milan Cortina Games last Sunday.

“Hey guys, I just wanted to give you a little update and say thank you so much to everyone that has been sending me flowers and letters,” said Vonn from her hospital bed in Treviso, Italy. “It’s just been so amazing and really helped me a lot.”

The four-time Olympian revealed she has endured several difficult days in the hospital but is beginning to feel more like herself, though she acknowledges the long road to recovery ahead. “I have a long, long way to go. Tomorrow I’ll have another surgery and hopefully that goes well and then I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I will need another surgery,” Vonn explained.

Vonn also noted in her written message that a bruise under her eye is “almost gone,” showing signs of healing from the high-speed accident that shocked viewers worldwide.

The crash occurred just 13 seconds into her Olympic run when Vonn lost control at high speed and was violently thrown across the course. The severity of the incident necessitated her being airlifted off the mountain by helicopter, a dramatic scene that underscored the dangers elite alpine skiers face.

Medical professionals later diagnosed Vonn with what she described as a “complex tibia fracture” in her left leg. While the injury is currently stable, her medical team has determined it requires multiple surgeries for proper repair. Wednesday marked her third surgical procedure since the accident, which she reported was “successful.”

What makes Vonn’s situation particularly poignant is that this injury follows another serious setback she experienced just nine days before the Olympic race, when she ruptured the ACL in her left knee in a separate crash during training. Despite this earlier injury, Vonn had chosen to compete in the Olympics, embodying the determination that has defined her illustrious career.

Vonn’s participation in the Milan Cortina Games was already considered a remarkable comeback story. Having retired in 2019 after a career plagued by injuries, including multiple knee surgeries and fractures, her return to Olympic competition at age 41 had captivated fans worldwide. Before these Games, Vonn had established herself as one of the most decorated American alpine skiers in history, with three Olympic medals, including gold in downhill at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

In her Instagram update, Vonn mentioned she remains “very much immobile” but expressed gratitude for friends and family who have visited her in the hospital. “I feel very lucky and fortunate to have so many people around me that have really helped me get through this,” she said.

The champion skier also took a moment to cheer on her fellow American Olympians: “Go Team USA. It’s so great to watch and really lifted my spirits. Good job, team, and keep crushing it. I’ll check in with you guys when I can.”

Vonn’s recovery will continue to be closely monitored by the skiing community and sports fans alike as she faces additional surgeries and a lengthy rehabilitation process. Her resilience throughout her career suggests she will approach this latest challenge with the same determination that has made her an iconic figure in winter sports.