American skier has successful third surgery after Winter Olympics crash

Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy: American skier Lindsey Vonn had a “successful” third surgery on her broken left leg following her downhill crash at the Winter Olympics.

Vonn posted an update on Instagram that included a photo of her giving a thumbs up sign in her hospital bed with a metal frame attached to her leg.

“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” Vonn said. “I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.”

The 41-year-old crashed 13 seconds into her run during Sunday’s race at the Milano Cortina Games and was airlifted off the course by helicopter. She said late Monday she had suffered a “complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”

Nine days before the crash, Vonn ruptured the ACL in her left knee in another crash. Even before then, all eyes had been on her as the feel-good story heading into the Games for her comeback after nearly six years of retirement.

Andrea Panzeri, the chief physician for the Italian Winter Sports Federation, said some fractures require “external fixation” to keep the leg stable, often until further surgery is performed.

Panzeri has operated on other top skiers after serious injuries for years, but he cautioned that he has not examined Vonn or seen her X-rays, so he does not have direct knowledge of her injuries. He said he is not surprised by what he saw in the picture she posted, though: “In our line of work nothing should surprise you, because every situation is different.”

Vonn’s father, Alan Kildow, said she is surrounded by family “at all times” at the hospital in Treviso where she is being treated.

“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,” Vonn said in her latest post. “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.”

Vonn, who holds the record of 12 World Cup victories in Cortina, returned to racing in December 2024, following surgery to insert a partial titanium replacement in her right knee.

She was the top speed racer this season, winning two downhills and finishing on the podium in seven of eight World Cup races that she finished.

Vonn’s post had thousands of comments just a few hours after it went up. Hall of Fame tennis star Billie Jean King wrote, “Forever the champion! Feel better soon.” Seven-time Olympic track champion Allyson Felix added, “sending you lots of love.”

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