Lindsey Vonn back home in USA after tragic Milano Cortina Winter Olympic 2026 crash, shares recovery update after surgeries

Lindsey Vonn has returned to the United States after a serious crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The 41-year-old alpine skier suffered a complex tibia fracture during the women’s downhill event on February 8.

She was airlifted to hospital minutes after falling early in her run. Vonn later told fans she had not been able to stand for more than a week and had remained immobile in a hospital bed since the race.The American star posted an update on social media saying it felt wonderful to be back in her home country, even though she still cannot stand yet. She also thanked the medical staff in Italy for caring for her. The Olympic champion recently underwent another operation and doctors cleared her to travel.

Vonn has continued sharing positive messages, encouraging supporters to stay strong rather than feel sorry for her situation.

Lindsey Vonn describes recovery after frightening fall

Lindsey Vonn crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill attempt after clipping a course marker and flipping several times before landing hard on the snow. She was taken by helicopter to Ca Foncello hospital in Treviso, where doctors treated a complicated fracture in her lower leg. She later explained online that she had been unable to get on her feet for over a week and had stayed in bed since the accident, but returning home lifted her spirits.

She also expressed deep appreciation for the care she received from Italian medical teams.In a previous update around Valentine’s Day, Vonn asked fans to offer love and encouragement instead of pity. She said she is fighting through the setback and wants her journey to inspire others. She added that chasing dreams always carries risk, but trying is still worth it, and she hopes one day to stand on top of a mountain again.The skier noted her fall was caused by being slightly off line and not linked to her earlier ACL injury. She had torn knee ligaments at a World Cup race in Switzerland shortly before the Olympics but chose to compete after training without swelling. Doctors said the leg injury will need multiple operations, and she has already undergone several procedures.This was Vonn’s fifth Olympics and her first appearance since 2018. She owns 84 World Cup victories, Olympic gold in 2010, and two Olympic bronze medals. Her father indicated he believes her racing career is likely over, although Vonn has not confirmed her future plans.