As Lindsey Vonn continues her recovery from a severe leg injury sustained in a terrifying crash at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, her father, Alan Kildow, has expressed profound worry about her future in the sport, raising questions about whether her body could withstand any further high-risk endeavors.
The 41-year-old skiing icon crashed violently just 13 seconds into her women’s downhill run on the Tofane course last Sunday, February 8, while attempting a comeback despite a recently torn ACL. The impact resulted in a complex tibia fracture in her left leg, requiring multiple surgeries. Vonn was airlifted to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, where she has undergone three procedures so far, the latest described as successful.
In the aftermath of the incident, which left fans and the skiing community in shock, Kildow—who taught Vonn to ski and has been by her bedside throughout—shared his raw emotions in interviews. While he firmly stated that this should mark “the end of her career” if he has any influence, emphasizing her age and the cumulative toll of injuries, concern quickly escalated around her physical resilience. Sources close to the family and reports circulating in the wake of the crash highlighted Kildow’s poignant remark reflecting parental fear: “I don’t know if her body can take another one.”
Kildow, speaking to outlets including the Associated Press, described the moment he watched his daughter go down as one of “shock and horror,” noting the dramatic and traumatic nature of such high-speed impacts. He stressed that Vonn is receiving top-tier care from U.S. Olympic Committee and U.S. Ski & Snowboard medical teams, and family—including her siblings—has remained constantly at her side. “She’s a very strong individual,” he added, acknowledging her familiarity with pain and adversity, yet underscoring his protective stance against any potential return to racing.
Vonn herself has remained defiant and reflective in social media updates, insisting the crash stemmed from a line error rather than her prior ACL tear or past injuries. “Life is too short not to take chances on yourself,” she posted, expressing no regrets about competing and affirming her belief in perseverance. Following her third surgery on February 11, she shared hospital photos and a message of progress: “I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be OK.”
The father’s candid concern has resonated widely, amplifying discussions about the physical limits of elite athletes in their 40s and the emotional weight carried by families in high-stakes sports. With Vonn’s storied career—including three Olympic medals and a record 82 World Cup wins—potentially at a crossroads, the focus now shifts to her long-term rehabilitation and whether this latest setback will indeed prove career-ending.
As the Milano Cortina Games progress, Vonn’s story continues to inspire and evoke empathy, a reminder of the razor-thin line between triumph and tragedy on the world’s biggest stage. Updates on her condition are expected as she begins the next phase of recovery.
