Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn opened up from her hospital bed on Friday with a raw and resilient video update, revealing the tough road ahead following her devastating crash during the women’s downhill at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old American icon, who was airlifted off the Tofane course after tumbling just 13 seconds into her run on February 8, has already undergone three surgeries to repair a complex tibia fracture in her left leg. In the heartfelt message posted to Instagram and X, Vonn appeared propped up in bed at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso, surrounded by medical monitors, wires, and a large stuffed shark pillow gifted by supporters—using it as a makeshift headrest.
“Hey guys, I just wanted to give you a little update and say thank you so much to everyone that has been sending me flowers, letters, sharks, stuffed animals,” Vonn said, her voice steady but tinged with emotion. “It’s just been so amazing and really helped me a lot. It’s been quite a hard few days in the hospital here. I’m finally feeling more like myself, but I have a long, long way to go.”
Vonn explained that she is scheduled for a fourth surgery on Saturday, with hopes of being discharged afterward to return home—where at least one more procedure awaits, pending further imaging to determine the details. “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 will need another surgery,” she continued. “Still don’t know exactly what that entails yet until I get some better imaging, but that’s kind of where I am right now.”
The five-time Olympian remains “very much immobile” but expressed deep gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends, family, the medical team, and fans worldwide. She also sent encouragement to her Team USA teammates still competing at the Games: “It’s been so great to watch and really lifted my spirits. So good job team, and keep crushing it.”
This latest update follows her Wednesday post after the third surgery, where she shared photos from her hospital bed—including one giving a thumbs-up despite the bulky brace and hardware on her leg—and declared it “successful,” adding that “success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.” Vonn emphasized progress, however slow, and insisted she knows she’ll be okay.
The crash ended what was meant to be a triumphant comeback for Vonn, who returned to elite competition after tearing her ACL earlier in the season. The injury—a severe, complex fracture requiring stabilization and multiple interventions—highlights the unforgiving risks of Alpine skiing, even for one of its most decorated athletes.
As Vonn braces for her next operation and the long rehabilitation ahead, her message of perseverance continues to inspire. The skiing community and fans alike rally around the champion, sending well-wishes for a full recovery and thanking her for the courage she’s shown both on the slopes and in sharing her journey through this challenging chapter.
