Lindsey Vonn undergoes third surgery after frightening Olympic crash

Lindsey Vonn has undergone a third surgery after suffering a devastating crash during the women’s downhill final at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, revealing from her hospital bed that the latest procedure was successful.

The 41-year-old ski legend was airlifted off the mountain on Sunday, Feb. 8, after tumbling just 13 seconds into her run when her right ski pole caught a course marker. 

Vonn lost her balance and flipped several times before landing hard on the snow. She was later diagnosed with a complex tibia fracture in her left leg.

In an Instagram update shared Thursday, Vonn posted a photo of herself in a hospital bed, metal pins visible in her injured leg.

“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.”

The Olympic gold medalist expressed gratitude to the medical staff caring for her, along with her family, friends and fans who have offered support in the days since the accident.

“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world,” she added, before congratulating her Team USA teammates competing in Italy. 

“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.”

The crash marked a heartbreaking turn in what Vonn had described as a triumphant return to the Olympic stage. 

After retiring for six years, she came back to competition following a partial knee replacement, determined to race in a fifth and final Winter Games despite battling a torn ACL.

On the eve of the downhill event, she reflected on the significance of simply making it back.

“Just getting to these Olympics has been a journey,” she wrote on Instagram Feb. 7. “But I think the answer is simple… I just love ski racing.”

“I will race tomorrow in my final Olympic Downhill and while I can't guarantee a good result, I can guarantee I will give it everything I have. But no matter what happens, I have already won.”

Her sister, Karin Kildow, admitted the family was shaken watching the fall unfold.

“That definitely was the last thing we wanted to see,” she told NBC. “When you start to see the stretchers being put out, that is not a good sign.”

Kildow added that while the sport carries inherent risks, the family remains focused on Vonn’s recovery. “We’re just hoping for the best.”