American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has provided a poignant update from her hospital bed following a devastating crash during the women’s downhill event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, as Team GB endured fresh medal disappointment in figure skating.
Vonn, 41, a three-time Olympic medalist and one of the most decorated skiers in history, crashed heavily just 13 seconds into her run on the Tofane course on Sunday, February 8. Competing despite a pre-existing torn ACL, she sustained a complex fracture to her left tibia. Airlifted from the mountain, she was initially treated in Cortina before being transferred to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, Italy, where she has undergone multiple procedures.
On Wednesday, February 11, Vonn posted an emotional update on Instagram, confirming she had completed a successful third surgery. Accompanying the post were several photos from her hospital room: one showing her giving a thumbs-up while lying in bed with an external fixator and bulky brace stabilizing her injured leg; another capturing her smiling and chatting with a member of her medical team; and a third featuring bouquets of flowers sent by well-wishers.
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful,” Vonn wrote. “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 injury, described as stable but requiring ongoing interventions, has effectively ended her bid for a fairytale Olympic return and is widely viewed as career-ending. Vonn has expressed no regrets about competing, emphasizing her determination to push limits despite the risks.
In a separate but equally poignant development on the same day, Team GB’s ice dance pair Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson saw their medal hopes dashed in the free dance final. The duo, who entered as strong contenders for Britain’s first Olympic figure skating medal since Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s bronze in 1994, faltered early with a wobble during a key rotation. The error drew negative scores from judges, dropping them to seventh place overall and extending Team GB’s medal drought at these Games.
Fear was visibly emotional post-performance, choking back tears in interviews as she reflected on the moment. “I can’t believe I just did that,” she said, expressing deep disappointment for herself and partner Gibson. Despite the heartbreak, the pair received widespread praise for their composure and the high quality of their season leading into the Olympics.
The contrasting stories—Vonn’s resilient recovery amid personal setback and Team GB’s near-miss in the quest for historic glory—underscore the unforgiving nature of elite winter sports at the highest level. As the Milano Cortina Games continue, both Vonn and the British athletes remain inspirations for perseverance in the face of adversity.
Vonn’s medical team reports she is progressing steadily, with further updates expected as rehabilitation begins. Team GB, meanwhile, shifts focus to remaining events in hopes of securing their first podium finish of the Olympics.
