American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has received the green light to leave Italy and return to the United States following a successful fourth surgery on her severely injured left leg, the 41-year-old announced in an emotional Instagram update on Saturday.
Vonn, who was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso after a devastating crash just 13 seconds into the women’s downhill race on February 8 at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, suffered a complex tibia fracture in the high-speed fall. The injury came on top of a pre-existing ACL tear in the same leg that she had competed through during her remarkable comeback attempt.
In her latest post, paired with a nostalgic video montage of her powering down the slopes, Vonn shared the positive news: “Surgery went well today! Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the US 🇺🇸! Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury….”
The procedure marks her fourth operation since the crash, with medical teams working urgently to stabilize and repair the intricate bone damage. Vonn has been candid throughout her hospital stay, previously describing the grueling process and expressing optimism amid uncertainty. She has promised more detailed insights into her recovery once stateside, where she is expected to undergo additional treatment and rehabilitation.
The update follows days of intense medical intervention and has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes worldwide. Vonn’s resilience—competing at the elite level despite known knee damage and now facing a prolonged road to recovery—continues to inspire, turning what could have been a tragic end to her Olympic story into one of determination and hope.
As the Milano Cortina Games progress, Vonn’s focus shifts from the podium to full healing, with the skiing community rallying behind one of its most decorated stars for what lies ahead.
