Olympic skiing legend Lindsey Vonn shared a poignant and resilient update from her hospital bed on Friday, disclosing that she faces at least two additional surgeries to repair the complex tibia fracture sustained in her horrifying crash during the women’s downhill at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old American star, who was airlifted from the Tofane course after losing control just 13 seconds into her run on February 8, is recovering at Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso. She has already undergone three surgeries since the incident, with a fourth scheduled for Saturday.
In an emotional Instagram video, Vonn appeared connected to monitors and IV lines, resting her head on a stuffed shark pillow amid a pile of supportive gifts from fans. She thanked the global outpouring of flowers, letters, and well-wishes that have sustained her through what she described as “quite a hard few days.”
“It’s just been so amazing and really helped me a lot,” Vonn said. “I’m finally feeling more like myself, but I have a long, long way to go. Tomorrow I’ll have another surgery and hopefully that goes well and I can potentially leave and go back home, at which point I will need another surgery. Still don’t know exactly what that entails yet until I get some better imaging.”
Vonn remains largely immobile but highlighted the comfort provided by visits from friends and family, the exceptional care from medical staff, and the encouragement from supporters worldwide. She also cheered on her Team USA teammates competing at the Games: “It’s so great to watch and really lifted my spirits. Good job, team, and keep crushing it.”
The injury compounds challenges from just nine days earlier, when Vonn tore her ACL in her left knee during a World Cup event in Switzerland—yet she still qualified for the Olympics and pushed forward in a remarkable comeback attempt after nearly six years away from elite competition.
This latest update follows her Wednesday confirmation that the third surgery was “successful,” with slow but steady progress giving her optimism. Vonn’s openness about the physical and emotional toll has resonated deeply, underscoring the high risks of Alpine skiing while showcasing her enduring determination.
As she prepares for the upcoming procedures and a prolonged rehabilitation, fans and the skiing community continue to rally around one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes, sending strength and support for her full recovery.
