Even as she battles one of the toughest injuries of her storied career, Lindsey Vonn continues to remind the world why she remains the most decorated skier in FIS Alpine World Cup history — with a record 20 Crystal Globes that no one, man or woman, has ever matched.
The American legend, who turned 41 earlier this year, holds the all-time record for Crystal Globe titles after clinching her 20th in 2016, surpassing legendary Swedish skier Ingemar Stenmark’s 19. Her haul includes four Overall World Cup titles (2008, 2009, 2010, 2012), a staggering eight Downhill Globes, five Super-G titles, and three in Combined — a testament to her dominance across multiple disciplines.
Vonn’s trophy case also boasts 84 World Cup victories (second all-time among women), Olympic gold in downhill (2010), and multiple World Championship medals. She is the only American woman to win Olympic downhill gold and one of the few athletes to excel in every FIS Alpine discipline.
But it’s her latest chapter — marked by pain, surgeries, and relentless grit — that is once again capturing hearts worldwide.
In February 2026, during the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, Vonn suffered a horrifying crash just seconds into her downhill run, resulting in a complex tibia fracture in her left leg. The injury came after she had already torn her ACL weeks earlier yet pushed through to compete. She underwent multiple surgeries, including procedures to fight infection and prevent compartment syndrome that doctors feared could lead to amputation.
Now, just weeks later, Vonn is back in the gym, sharing raw and inspiring updates with her millions of fans. Recent videos show her completing her first unassisted pull-ups since the surgeries, performing leg extensions, core workouts, and light stationary biking — all while still using crutches and a brace.
“Slowly getting there!” she captioned one powerful post, fist-bumping her trainer after the milestone.
“No matter how hard I get knocked down, I will always find a way to get back up,” Vonn has repeatedly shared. She is taking recovery “one day at a time,” focusing on small victories while keeping the possibility of returning to the slopes alive.
Fans have poured in messages of admiration, many calling her journey “extraordinary” and crediting her transparency with inspiring their own battles. At an age when most athletes retire, Vonn came out of a six-year break in 2024, returned to World Cup competition, and even made Olympic history again — proving age is just a number for true champions.
Her famous smile may hide the pain, but it also radiates the same unshakable determination that built one of the greatest careers in winter sports. Whether she laces up her skis for another competitive run or not, Lindsey Vonn’s legacy as the 20-time Globe winner and ultimate comeback queen is already secure.
The mountain tried to break her once more. But as always, Lindsey Vonn is rising — step by powerful step.
