Lindsey Vonn Says She Is 'Making Progress' After Winter Olympics 2026 Crash

American skier Lindsey Vonn told fans she is "making progress" after undergoing a successful third surgery for her broken left leg she suffered during the women’s Winter Olympics 2026 downhill over the weekend in Milan Cortina, Italy.She was in pursuit of becoming the oldest Alpine skier, man or woman, to win an Olympic medal at the Winter Olympics 2026 in Milan, Italy, However, her dream came to an end after she crashed only 13.4 seconds into the downhill final and ended up with the life-changing injury. The 2010 Winter Olympic gold medalist wanted to create a new record despite skiing in a brace merely nine days after rupturing the ACL in her left knee.In a sentimental Instagram post, Vonn wrote: "I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. 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. "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. 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."The day after her debilitating crash, a devastated Vonn took to Instagram and told her followers: "My Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn't a story book ending or a fairy tale, it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it."Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches."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. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever. Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly."While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget.'READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn Airlifted With Broken Leg After ACL Injury Mid-Winter Olympics 2026What Happened To Lindsey Vonn?The 41-year-old American lost control over the opening traverse after cutting the line too tight and was spun around in the air, according to AP.Vonn was heard screaming on camera after the crash while being surrounded by medical personnel. After being examined on site, she was strapped to a gurney and flown away by a helicopter, possibly ending the skier’s championship-packed career.Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow said Vonn “put her whole heart” into making the Olympics. “That’s definitely the last thing we wanted to see,” Kildow told NBC. “When that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s OK, and it was scary. When you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign. She dared greatly, and she put it all out there.”According to supplier Dainese, a mandatory safety air bag had inflated under Vonn’s racing suit during the crash. The air bag, which is triggered by a complicated algorithm when racers lose control, is expected to have softened her fall.The US Ski Team later assured that Vonn is in stable condition and the Ca' Foncello hospital confirmed she is undergoing surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg.Vonn's teammate and this year's gold medalist, Breezy Johnson later said of the crash: "To have this course burn you and to watch those dreams die, it was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life."It’s not the physical pain, we can deal with physical pain, but the emotional pain is something else. I wish her the best and I hope that this isn’t the end."What Is An ACL Injury?The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), a vital ligament in your knee that connects the femur, or thighbone, to the tibia, or shinbone, is crucial for maintaining your stability and agility when playing sports. However, it is also among the most susceptible to harm.An ACL rupture is basically described as a tear in the ligament that typically occurs in sports that involve quick changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer and skiing. Athletes typically hear a loud “pop” in the knee, which immediately gives out, followed by significant swelling.An ACL tear may be a game-changer for players, keeping them out of the game for months and interfering with their training.

Lindsey Vonn Says She Is 'Making Progress' After Winter Olympics 2026 Crash

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