U.S. alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn declared she has “no regrets” about competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics despite suffering a devastating complex tibia fracture in Sunday’s women’s downhill race, an injury that required immediate surgery and will necessitate multiple additional procedures.
The 41-year-old, who staged a remarkable comeback after years away from the sport, crashed violently just 13 seconds into her run on the Tofane slope. Vonn hooked a gate with her right arm near the top section, lost her balance, and tumbled down the course in a high-speed wreck that left spectators and teammates stunned. She was airlifted off the mountain and underwent emergency surgery to stabilize the fracture in her left leg — the same limb she had injured with a torn ACL during a World Cup race in Crans-Montana on January 30.
In her first public statement since the crash, posted Monday on Instagram, Vonn addressed widespread debate over whether she should have raced with the fresh knee injury and a supportive brace.
“Yesterday my Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would,” she wrote. “It wasn’t a story book ending, but I tried. I dreamt. I jumped. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget.”
Vonn was unequivocal in rejecting suggestions that the ACL tear contributed to the incident: “My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.” She described the mistake as a precise line error — being “5 inches too tight” on her intended path — in a discipline where fractions of a second and tiny technical misjudgments separate victory from catastrophe.
The injury, confirmed as a complex tibia fracture, is currently stable but will require further surgeries for proper repair and long-term recovery. Vonn’s statement underscored her unyielding mindset: “While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets.”
Vonn’s Olympic return had captured global attention. After retiring in 2019 and undergoing a partial knee replacement on her right leg, she returned to competition, led the World Cup downhill standings earlier this season, and positioned herself as a legitimate medal contender in Cortina. Her decision to race with a recently torn ACL sparked intense discussion within the skiing community about athlete autonomy, risk management, and the physical demands of elite downhill at an advanced age.
Teammates, coaches, and orthopedic experts have largely supported Vonn’s assessment that the knee was not a direct factor in the gate hook or fall. Still, the crash has reignited broader conversations about safety protocols and the toll of pushing human limits in one of the most dangerous winter sports.
Messages of support poured in from across the skiing world, including from fellow American star Mikaela Shiffrin, who posted a heartfelt tribute with broken-heart and prayer emojis. Fans and former rivals alike praised Vonn’s courage and resilience, with many calling her performance — even in defeat — a testament to her legendary status as one of the most successful downhill skiers in history.
As Vonn begins what promises to be a challenging rehabilitation, her words serve as both a personal manifesto and an inspiration: no regrets, only the pursuit of dreams worth chasing, no matter the cost.
The skiing community now watches and waits for updates on her recovery, while celebrating a champion who refused to let fear or injury define her final Olympic moment.
