In a powerful display of resilience, Olympic skiing icon Lindsey Vonn declared victory over yet another major setback on February 11, 2026, announcing that her third surgery on her broken left leg was a complete success following her terrifying crash at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old American legend took to Instagram from her hospital bed at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, sharing raw and inspiring photos of herself giving a defiant thumbs-up amid an imposing external fixator—a complex metal stabilization frame—securely attached to her injured leg. Surrounded by IV lines, monitors, and medical equipment, Vonn’s slight smile and raised thumb captured her unbreakable spirit.
In her post, Vonn wrote:
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”
She went on to thank her medical team, friends, family, and the global wave of support: “Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world. Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
The surgeries stem from a violent crash during Sunday’s women’s downhill on the Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo. Just 13 seconds into her run, Vonn clipped a gate and tumbled hard, resulting in a complex displaced tibia fracture in her left leg—the same one that had torn its ACL days earlier in pre-Games training. Airlifted from the mountain, she has required multiple procedures to stabilize and repair the intricate damage, with the external fixator now playing a key role in her recovery.
Vonn’s update comes just days after her initial inspirational message of having “no regrets” about competing despite the prior ACL injury. Her latest post redefines triumph not as medals or speed records, but as incremental healing and mental fortitude in the face of adversity.
The photos—showing the stark reality of the fixator pins, stitches, and hospital setting—have struck a chord worldwide, with fans, athletes, and celebrities praising her courage. Vonn’s career, marked by one Olympic gold, two bronzes, and countless World Championship victories, has been defined by overcoming injuries, including her groundbreaking partial knee replacement in 2024 that enabled her improbable Olympic return.
As rehabilitation begins in earnest, Vonn’s message serves as a reminder of true strength: progress, no matter how gradual, is worth celebrating. The skiing community and beyond continue to rally behind her, eagerly awaiting her next chapter.
Get well soon, Lindsey—your fight inspires us all. 🙏❤️
