Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy – U.S. Skier Lindsey Vonn sustained a complex tibia fracture during a downhill race at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, requiring multiple surgeries, the athlete revealed on Monday. The 41-year-old Vonn, competing despite a recent ACL tear, was airlifted off the course following the crash and is currently hospitalized in Treviso, Italy.
Vonn detailed the incident in a post on Instagram, explaining that she was “simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash.” She emphasized that her prior injuries, including the ACL tear sustained just nine days before the Olympics, were not a factor in the accident. “My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever,” she wrote.
The injury necessitates “multiple surgeries to fix properly,” according to Vonn. She underwent an initial surgery on her left leg on night, and remains in stable condition, according to a statement released by the hospital in Treviso.
Despite the severity of the injury, Vonn expressed a lack of regret over her decision to compete. “While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets,” she stated on Instagram. “Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself. I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport.”
The crash occurred early in the downhill race, prompting immediate medical attention on the course before Vonn was transported by helicopter. Images from the event show Vonn colliding with a gate during the race.
Vonn’s father, Alan Kildow, indicated that this injury likely marks the end of his daughter’s storied skiing career. “She’s 41 years old, and this is the end of her career,” Kildow told The Associated Press. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.” Kildow, along with Vonn’s brother and two sisters, are currently with her in Italy.
The incident raises questions about the risks athletes take when returning from injury, particularly at the elite level of competition. Vonn’s decision to race with a recently torn ACL drew scrutiny, but the athlete herself maintains that the two events were unrelated. The tibia fracture, however, represents a significant setback and a potentially career-ending injury for the veteran skier.
The U.S. Ski Team confirmed Vonn’s stable condition following the surgery, but offered no further details regarding the specifics of the fracture or the planned surgical procedures. The team also stated that Vonn will not be returning to the Olympics to support her teammates or participate in any further events.
Vonn’s career has been marked by both triumph and adversity. She has overcome multiple injuries throughout her career, including a previous knee injury that threatened her participation in the Olympics. Her determination to compete at the highest level, even in the face of significant physical challenges, has made her a popular figure in the world of skiing.
The crash and subsequent injury have prompted an outpouring of support for Vonn from fellow athletes, fans, and the broader sporting community. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent dangers of alpine skiing, a sport that demands both physical prowess and a willingness to accept risk.
The Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso is currently providing care for Vonn, and further updates on her condition are expected as she progresses through her recovery and undergoes additional surgeries. The long-term prognosis for Vonn remains uncertain, but her father’s statement suggests that her competitive skiing career is likely over.
