Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has undergone her third surgery after breaking her leg in a devastating crash at Milan Cortina 2026, sharing an inspiring recovery update
Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has provided a social media update following her third operation after the horrific crash that shattered her Olympic hopes at Milan-Cortina.
The 41-year-old American sustained a fractured leg during the Milan Cortina Games and required air ambulance transport to hospital after a severe accident – barely a week after tearing her ACL. The Team USA star caught a gate, lost her footing and smashed into the mountainside just 13 seconds into her descent in the women’s downhill event. She underwent extensive medical attention before being helicoptered to a local hospital for additional care.
Posting an update on Instagram on Wednesday evening, Vonn penned: “I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
“I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok. Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world.
“Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
Medical experts subsequently confirmed that Vonn would require several operations to mend her leg, with her third procedure now complete. A prolonged rehabilitation lies ahead, though there remains a possibility the skier might return to the slopes within 12 months.
Fellow skier Federica Brignone, who sustained multiple leg fractures and a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament at the 2025 Italian Championships last April, made her comeback after just 10 months. The Italian went head-to-head with Vonn on Cortina’s Olympia piste.
“It’s always difficult to give an assessment without seeing the X‐rays,” Andrea Panzeri, head of the Medical Commission of the Italian Winter Sports Federation, told Reuters.
“It’s a complex fracture that, regardless of age, can limit an athlete’s career. But Brignone also had a serious fracture and she recovered.”
Meanwhile, Filippo Pierfrancesco Calanna, an orthopaedic surgeon at Milan’s Gaetano Pini Orthopaedic and Trauma Centre, added: “It’s obvious that the older you are, the slower the recovery.
“Even though Vonn has exceptional physical qualities, physical recovery takes longer at her age. But much also depends on motivation and mindset. There is a risk that arthritis develops earlier which, over time, can lead to reduced joint function, stiffness and pain.”
Nevertheless, Vonn’s previous injuries to the same leg, including a partial knee implant, could impact her healing process.