Lindsey Vonn Returns Home After Severe Olympic Crash

Lindsey Vonn, who was the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, has returned to the United States following four surgeries on her left leg. She had sustained the injury during a crash at the Winter Olympics in Cortina. The 41-year-old remained unable to stand for nine days after the incident, which underscored the severity of the injury.

Vonn struck a gate just 13 seconds into her downhill run on 8 February. This came only nine days after she had raced following a ruptured ligament in her left knee. Airlifted from the piste, she was taken to a hospital in Treviso and diagnosed with a “complex tibia fracture.” She was discharged on Sunday and immediately flew home for further treatment.

“Haven’t stood on my feet in over a week,” Vonn wrote on X. “Been in a hospital bed immobile since my race. And although I’m not yet able to stand, being back on home soil feels amazing. Huge thank you to everyone in Italy for taking good care of me.”

Lindsey Vonn’s Career Marked by Risk and Resilience

Vonn, who retired in 2019 as the most decorated female skier at the time, had been hoping for a fairytale conclusion to her competitive career. After undergoing a partial right knee replacement, she made a surprise return to the sport in 2024. Since then, she secured eight World Cup podium finishes, which includes two gold medals, She was also considered a strong contender for a medal at her fifth Olympics.

Despite her recent ACL rupture in Switzerland during the final World Cup race before the Games, Vonn was determined to race in Cortina. Reflecting on her crash in an Instagram post, she stated, “When I think back on my crash, I didn’t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk.”

Vonn added that she was physically stronger than in many previous competitions. “I was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing. I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather than not ski to my potential and have regret. I never want to cross the finish line and say, ‘what if?’” As she begins her recovery at home, the skiing world watches closely and is hopeful for her return to full strength.

Web Resources on Lindsey Vonn’s Return after Olympic Crash

1. People.com: Lindsey Vonn Says It Feels ‘Amazing’ to Return Home to U.S.
2. NYPost.com: Lindsey Vonn returns home after Winter Olympics injury
3. ESPN.com: Lindsey Vonn prepares for U.S. return with more surgeries to come
4. X.com: Latest Update by Lindsey Vonn on X
5. AcademicBlock.com: Winter Olympics 2026 Hit by Medal Damage Controversy