Lindsey Vonn: American skater undergoes third surgery after Winter Olympics crash

Lindsey Vonn says she is “making progress” after having a successful third surgery on the broken leg she suffered in a crash during the Winter Olympics on Sunday.

The American great was racing just nine days after tearing a ligament in her left knee when she crashed into the gate 13 seconds into a downhill turn in Cortina.

She was airlifted off the piste and taken to hospital in Treviso, where she was diagnosed with a “complex tibia fracture” in her left leg.

“I had my third surgery today and it was a success,” she wrote in an Instagram post., external

“Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress, and even though the progress is slow, I know I’ll be OK.

“I am so grateful to all the amazing medical staff, friends and family who have been there for me and the amazing outpouring of love and support from people all over the world.

“Also, a huge congratulations to my teammates and all the Team USA athletes who inspire me and give me something to root for.”

Vonn was the Olympic downhill champion in 2010 and was hoping for a fairytale ending to her illustrious career.

She retired from the sport in 2019 as the most decorated female skier at the time, after sustaining several serious leg injuries.

After undergoing a partial right knee replacement, she announced her surprise return to sports in 2024.

Since then, she has been on the podium eight times on the World Cup circuit, including two golds, and was a favorite to win a medal at her fifth and final Olympics.

But despite suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in Switzerland during the final World Cup race before the Games, she was determined to take to the track in Cortina where she had enjoyed so much success.

She said on Monday that she had “no regrets” and added: “I dared to dream and worked hard to achieve it.”