Milano-Cortina aftermath / United States — Skiing icon Lindsey Vonn continues her brave battle toward recovery, sharing a candid and emotional update following her latest — and fifth — surgery to repair the complex tibia fracture sustained during her dramatic crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on February 20, the 41-year-old three-time Olympic medalist revealed that the procedure, which lasted a little over six hours, involved extensive hardware including numerous plates and screws to reconstruct her severely injured left leg. Vonn praised her surgical team, crediting Dr. Hackett for an “incredible job” and thanking Dr. Viola for assisting.
“With the extent of the trauma, I’ve been struggling a bit post op and have not yet been able to be discharged from the hospital just yet… almost there. Baby steps,” Vonn wrote, accompanying the message with X-ray images showcasing the metal reinforcements — a stark visual reminder of the injury’s severity — and videos from her hospital room.
The update comes after Vonn was airlifted following her February 8 crash in the women’s downhill final at Cortina d’Ampezzo, where she fractured her leg just seconds into the run. She had already torn her ACL days earlier in a World Cup event and pushed through immense pain to compete, embodying the grit that defined her legendary career. Multiple surgeries in Italy preceded her return to the United States on February 17, with this latest operation marking another critical step in her rehabilitation.
Despite the pain being “hard to manage” and slow progress, Vonn’s tone remains resilient and grateful. “Made it through surgery… Thank you all for the support,” she added, a message that has resonated deeply with fans worldwide who have flooded her posts with messages of encouragement, prayers, and admiration for her unbreakable spirit.
Vonn’s journey — from retirement in 2019, to an inspiring comeback attempt at age 41 (with a partial knee replacement), to this devastating setback — has captivated the sports world. Her refusal to give up, even against overwhelming odds, has only amplified her status as one of skiing’s all-time greats.
As she takes those hard-earned baby steps toward discharge and eventual mobility, the alpine community and beyond continue to rally around her. Lindsey Vonn isn’t just recovering from injury — she’s reminding everyone what true championship heart looks like.
Get well soon, Lindsey. The mountain will be waiting when you’re ready. ❤️🩹⛷️🇺🇸
Sending strength, prayers, and endless support your way.
