American skier Lindsey Vonn is planning to head back to the United States soon.
As reported by the Associated Press, Vonn was getting ready to return on Sunday, a week after her devastating crash during the Olympic downhill event, which required a helicopter evacuation.
Just the day before, she revealed that her fourth surgery on a major fracture of the tibia in her left leg had gone well, and she was now cleared to return home. This injury occurred only two days prior to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
“Today’s surgery went well!” she shared in an Instagram post three days following her most recent procedure. “Thankfully, I am finally able to return to the States! Once I’m back, I’ll share updates on my injury.”
The President and CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, Sophie Goldschmidt, mentioned that she had visited Vonn in the hospital and reported that she was “not in any pain.” Goldschmidt also confirmed that the medical staff is preparing Vonn for her journey home.
“We have a great team supporting her. She will return to the United States for additional surgeries,” she stated.
At 41, Vonn had torn her anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee before the race on February 8. Despite the setback, she was committed to pushing forward with her Olympic dreams.
During the race, Vonn lost time 13.4 seconds in when she got caught in the gate. The incident propelled her into the air before she fell off the Dolomites.
She was airlifted from the Cortina d’Ampezzo track but later shared that significant surgeries were required to fix her broken leg before she could come home.
In just a week, Vonn has undergone four surgeries and received the green light from her medical team to return home.
In her latest Instagram update, she requested that others refrain from feeling pity for her.
“In return, I hope it gives you the strength to keep fighting,” Vonn wrote. “That’s what I do and will continue to do. Always.”
While Vonn recognized the risks she took competing with an injury, she didn’t want to have regrets about not trying.
“Just because I was ready doesn’t guarantee anything,” she reflected. “Nothing in life is certain. Following your dreams is a gamble. You may fail, but you won’t know unless you try.”
Goldschmidt commended Vonn’s bravery and how she faces this challenge with grace.
“She remained positive and gave her all, and the outcome could have been very different,” Goldschmidt said. “But what she’s done for our sport and for athletes in general, as a role model, has elevated her influence. You often learn more about someone in tough times than in moments of victory.”
