Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn marked her 42nd birthday on October 18, 2026, the same way she has approached most days since her devastating Milano Cortina Olympics crash: by hitting the gym.
Rather than taking a full rest day, the three-time Olympic medalist shared a new workout video showing her performing front squats with visible mobility in her surgically repaired knee. In the accompanying Instagram caption, she reflected on the crash, her recovery, and turning 42: “Well… I’m another year older. Age is a funny thing… my perspective of life at 30 was that (especially as an athlete) I was over the hill, but now that I’m in my 40’s I feel the knowledge of life that I have amassed makes me feel somehow much younger and more confident in who I am… Despite my crash and all of the things that have happened to me, the good, the bad the ugly… I’m always thankful to be in this life.”
Vonn suffered a complex tibia fracture just 13 seconds into the women’s downhill final in February 2026. The injury required multiple surgeries and carried a risk of amputation due to compartment syndrome. She has spent much of the year in intensive rehabilitation—progressing from a wheelchair and crutches to unassisted gym work including squats and pull-ups—while still attending high-profile events such as the Met Gala and Academy Museum Gala.
Observers have noted her refusal to skip training. One outlet wrote that she “could say screw it” and slow down but has instead stayed consistent in the gym throughout her recovery. Birthday coverage also highlighted photos of her in workout gear and swimwear, underscoring both her physical progress and her characteristic determination.
Her future on the World Cup circuit remains open—she has been named to the U.S. team for the upcoming season—but the birthday workout offered another clear signal: Vonn continues to treat recovery with the same intensity she once brought to the slopes.
