Lindsey Vonn Shares Photos From Her Hospital Bed After Undergoing Another Surgery
Lindsey Vonn underwent another surgery on Wednesday (February 11), her third since her horrific crash during the Winter Olympics.
Vonn crashed just a few seconds into her run during the women’s downhill race on Sunday (February 8). 16 years prior, in 2010, she became the first American to win a gold medal in the event.
After Vonn was airlifted off the course and flown to the hospital, her teammate, Breezy Johnson, secured the gold medal for Team USA.
In an update she shared the day after the crash (February 9), Vonn revealed she sustained a complex tibia fracture. Although the injury is “stable,” it will require multiple surgeries to fix. Vonn had already undergone one surgery at that time.
Vonn also clarified that the crash was not caused by any prior injuries (she ruptured her ACL in a race shortly before the Olympics). “I 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 said.
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Vonn has continued to keep her followers updated. She shared a series of photos from her hospital bed on February 11.
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful,” she wrote. “Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”
Vonn thanked her medical team, her family, and her fans for all of their support. She also shared a congratulatory message for Team USA, saying, “Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”
See Vonn’s post about her most recent surgery here.
Will Lindsey Vonn Return To Skiing After This?
Everyone has been left asking…is this the end of Lindsey Vonn’s career?
Vonn retired from elite skiing for six years and underwent knee replacement surgery in 2024. Then, she returned to the sport last season and proved to be just as powerful as ever.
But, considering her injuries and her age (she turned 41 in October), some believe it may be time for her to hang up her skis. One such person is her dad, Alan Kildow, a former skier himself.
“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 acknowledged how “strong” his daughter is. Her strength and drive have certainly contributed to her success.
Only time will tell if Vonn’s skiing career will continue. However, her time at the 2026 Winter Olympics has come to an end. Her injury is severe enough that it won’t even be possible for her to return to the Games as a spectator.
“No, she’s not in that kind of situation,” Kildow said. “She will be going home at an appropriate point in time.”
We’ll continue praying for Vonn’s quick and complete recovery…
