Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn is scheduled to undergo her fourth surgery tomorrow on a complex tibia fracture sustained during a devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, marking another challenging step in her road to recovery before she can return to the United States.
The 41-year-old American icon, who made an inspiring comeback to competition after years in retirement, shared the update in an emotional video posted to her Instagram, where she has been keeping fans informed throughout this difficult period. “I’m finally feeling more like myself but I have a long, long way to go,” Vonn said in the clip, her voice reflecting both resilience and the toll of recent days. “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’ll need another surgery. Still don’t know exactly what that entails yet until I get some better imaging.”
Vonn’s ordeal began on February 8 during the women’s downhill event in Cortina d’Ampezzo, when she hooked a gate just 13 seconds into her run, resulting in a violent fall that required immediate airlift from the course. The crash left her with a severe complex tibia fracture in her left leg—described as stable but demanding multiple interventions—compounded by a prior ACL rupture from a training crash nine days earlier.
In the days following the incident, Vonn underwent three successful surgeries in Italy to address the injury, including stabilization procedures and hardware placement. On February 11, she posted from her hospital bed at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, giving a thumbs-up despite visible external fixators and bracing. “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful,” she wrote at the time. “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.”
The upcoming procedure on Saturday represents the fourth in what medical experts have called an unpredictable timeline for such a severe tibial injury, with potential risks including long-term complications. Orthopedic specialists have noted the external fixator in recent images as evidence of the fracture’s complexity, though Vonn’s renowned mental fortitude and athletic background offer hope for a strong recovery.
Despite the setback, Vonn has expressed no regrets about competing, emphasizing her determination to push through adversity in a sport where margins are razor-thin. Her story has resonated widely, drawing an outpouring of support from fans, fellow athletes, and the skiing community.
Vonn, a five-time Olympic medalist and one of alpine skiing’s most decorated athletes, plans to head stateside after this surgery for further treatment and rehabilitation. While the full scope of her future remains uncertain, her updates continue to inspire, underscoring the grit that has defined her career.
As Vonn prepares for tomorrow’s operation, the skiing world watches and waits, united in hope for her complete healing.
