After a challenging stay in the hospital, Lindsey Vonn might soon be heading home.
On Friday, the three-time Olympic medalist shared a nearly two-minute update on her recovery following a severe accident during the women’s downhill event on the opening weekend of the Milan-Cortina Olympics, where she suffered a significant tibia fracture in her left leg.
“I feel like I’m finally coming into my own, but there’s still quite a journey ahead,” Vonn remarked. “I’m set for another surgery tomorrow, and if all goes well, I could be released from the hospital and return home. But, of course, I’ll need another surgery after that. We’re not entirely sure what that entails until we have clearer images.”
Her injuries have necessitated several surgeries. Saturday’s procedure would mark her fourth since crashing just 13 seconds into the race, leading to her airlift to Cafoncello Hospital in Treviso.
Before this incident, the 41-year-old had torn her anterior cruciate ligament in a fall during a conditioning race in Switzerland about a week before the Olympics kicked off.
“This is where I find myself now. I’m in the hospital, struggling to move,” Vonn added in her video.
Following her accident, she underwent immediate treatments and expressed in an Instagram post that she had “no regrets” about competing despite her ACL injury.
After retiring from the sport in 2019 due to a series of injuries—including persistent knee issues—she had made a comeback to chase a fourth Olympic medal in 2024.
Doctors have expressed serious concerns regarding the complexity and severity of her injuries, noting that similar cases might even lead to amputation.
Her father, Alan Kildow, shared with the Associated Press that he believes this should be “the conclusion” of her skiing career if he has any say. “As long as I have a voice in this, there will be no more Lindsey Vonn ski races,” he declared.
In a recent clip, Vonn expressed gratitude to her friends, family, and fans for their support during this difficult period. She mentioned receiving numerous flowers and stuffed animals, including a plush shark that was placed behind her head for comfort.
“As I mentioned, the letters, notes, and flowers were truly heartwarming,” she reflected. “The staff and medical team have been fantastic. I feel incredibly lucky to have so many people rallying around me, helping me navigate this tough time. I also wanted to send my best to Team USA. It has been inspiring to watch, and I’m cheering for the team as they keep pushing through.”
