Olympic skiing icon Lindsey Vonn is sharing her rawest moments yet in recovery, revealing the profound emotional toll of her devastating 2026 Winter Olympics crash—and finding solace in the simple joy of reuniting with her beloved dog, Chance.
In a heartfelt Instagram post that’s quickly going viral, Vonn captioned a touching video: “Reunited with Chance…. ❤️❣️ Had a pretty hard day yesterday, everything just really hit me hard and I broke down. I know there will be a lot of days like this… the internal mental battle has just begun but moments like this help me so much. Just miss my boy Leo… One day at a time.”
The clip captures an overwhelmed Vonn being greeted with enthusiastic licks and cuddles from Chance upon returning home after weeks in the hospital. Following her high-speed crash in the downhill event at Milan-Cortina, which left her with severe leg injuries—including a complex tibial fracture requiring multiple surgeries—Vonn has been candid about both the physical pain and the emerging psychological challenges.
Just days earlier, she had opened up about a particularly tough mental health day, describing how the “battle of the mind can be dark and hard and unrelenting.” The reunion with Chance arrives at a poignant time: Vonn is still grieving the loss of her other dog, Leo, who tragically passed away on February 9, 2026—just one day after her Olympic crash. The 13-year-old pup, whom she called her “first love,” had been battling lung cancer and heart failure. Vonn announced Leo’s passing while still hospitalized, sharing that she said goodbye from her hospital bed amid what she called some of the hardest days of her life.
Chance, her surviving rescue dog (along with the late Bear and Lucy), has become a vital source of comfort as Vonn transitions to at-home recovery. Fans and fellow athletes have flooded the comments with support, praising her vulnerability and resilience. The post underscores a powerful message: even champions face overwhelming grief and uncertainty, but small moments of unconditional love—like a dog’s joyful welcome—can provide the strength to keep pushing forward.
At 41, Vonn continues to defy expectations, refusing to let injury or loss define her comeback story. Medical experts note that full recovery from such a severe tibial injury could take six to nine months or longer, with questions lingering about a potential return to competitive skiing. Yet Vonn remains determined, framing her journey as climbing “back to the top of the mountain of life.”
Her openness about mental health struggles—amid the physical ones—has resonated deeply, reminding the world that healing isn’t linear. As Vonn takes it “one day at a time,” her story inspires millions: vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s part of the fight.
Sending love and strength to Lindsey, Chance, and the memory of sweet Leo. ❤️❣️ The road ahead may be tough, but she’s never faced it alone.
