Lindsey Vonn's Olympic comeback ended in one of the scariest crashes in recent memory. The 41-year-old American clipped a gate 13.4 seconds into her downhill run at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics and was immediately airlifted from the spot.
To save her complex leg injury, Team USA physician Dr. Tom Hackett performed an emergency surgery called a fasciotomy right at the course. But the scariest part? She underwent at least five surgeries in 10 days, including a six-hour reconstructive procedure on Feb. 18.
The 41-year-old said the medical team narrowly saved her leg from amputation. She described the pain as "out of control" and unresponsive to heavy painkillers until a blood transfusion finally helped stabilize her.
Eric Bolte-Imagn Images
And not to mention, retirement questions have followed Vonn throughout her recovery, but she has been blunt about shutting them down, even though she’ll be 45 by the 2030 French Alps Games
"I don't like to close the door on anything, because you just never know what's going to happen," she told Vanity Fair, per TMZ. "I have no idea what my life will be like in two years or three years or four years. I could have two kids by then. I could have no kids and want to race again."
However, the good news is that her recovery has been steady, if slow. Just 25 days after breaking her leg, Vonn was back in the gym with her injured leg strapped.
By the six-week mark, she was posting photos in makeup and sharing video of herself navigating her yard on a three-wheeled electric scooter she nicknamed "Speedy."
After witnessing her horrific Olympic crash, FIS president Johan Eliasch also said he hoped to see Vonn back on skis again. And since she's leaving the door open for a return, it’s clear she isn't ready to retire until she gives racing one more shot.
