Lindsey Vonn shares photos from her hospital room after her third surgery
MILAN — In a social media post following her horrific accident at the Milan Cortina Olympics, Lindsey Vonn said she is already on the road to recovery.
“I had my third surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” Vonn wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “I’m making progress and even though it’s slow, I know everything will be okay.”
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Vonn, the legendary 41-year-old skier, was competing in the women’s alpine downhill event on Sunday when she clipped a pole and crashed less than 15 seconds into her race. Vonn was heard screaming in pain as she lay in the snow before being airlifted from the course.
In a photo Vonn posted, her left leg can be seen in an external fixator, a device typically used to stabilize the leg and minimize swelling.
Vonn was competing in the Olympics despite tearing her anterior cruciate ligament during a World Cup in late January.
In her message, she also expressed gratitude for the support she has received since her last accident.
“I am grateful for all the incredible medical staff, friends, family who have been by my side and for the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world,” Vonn wrote. “Also, a big congratulations to my teammates and all the athletes on Team USA who inspire me and give me something to be happy about.”
Vonn is one of the most accomplished skiers in the history of the sport. Her 84 World Cup victories place her second all-time behind fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin. Vonn also won three Olympic medals, including a gold.
Unfortunately, injuries played a major role in Vonn’s career.
In 2013, she tore the ACL and MCL in her right knee and fractured her right leg in a fall at the World Championships. Later that year, she reinjured her anterior cruciate ligament, preventing her from competing in the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In August 2015, she broke her ankle in an accident in New Zealand, then suffered fractures to her left knee the following February.
In 2018, Vonn tore the LCL in her left knee and suffered three fractures in the same leg after a fall during training, and the following year announced her retirement.
In April 2024, Vonn announced that she had undergone knee replacement surgery, but later that year she announced her return to skiing.
Following her latest injury this month, Vonn’s father said he hoped she would retire for good.
“She’s 41 and it’s the end of her career,” Alan Kildow told the Associated Press. “There will be no more ski racing for Lindsey Vonn until I have anything to say about it.”
