Lindsey Vonn suffered a serious leg injury during the women’s downhill race at the Winter Olympics in Cortina. Just seconds into her run, she clipped a gate, lost control, and crashed heavily.
The fall ended her Olympic campaign. She was treated on the slope before being airlifted to hospital. Doctors later confirmed she had sustained a complex fracture of the tibia, the main bone in the lower leg.
Vonn has since undergone multiple surgeries. In an update to supporters, she said the latest procedure was successful and that recovery, while slow, is moving in the right direction. She thanked medical staff, family, and fans for their support.
A sports medicine expert explained that this type of fracture is considered severe. In some cases, surgeons use an external fixator — a stabilizing frame placed outside the leg — to hold the bone in position while it heals. Such injuries often require more than one operation and a lengthy rehabilitation.
Despite the painful setback, Vonn said she has no regrets about competing. She explained that downhill racing leaves little room for error and that a difference of just a few inches in line can lead to a crash.
Her focus is now on healing and recovery after a career defined by determination and resilience.