Lindsey Vonn describes severe leg injuries after crash in women's downhill at 2026 Winter Olympics
Authored by sportsite777.com, Feb 23, 2026
Lindsey Vonn, the American alpine skier with one Olympic gold medal and two bronze medals from prior Games, crashed during the women's downhill event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics on February 8, 2026, at the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.[1][2] She was airlifted from the mountain following the incident.
In an Instagram video posted on February 9, 2026, Vonn, aged 41, detailed her injuries, stating she suffered a complex left tibia fracture, fractures to the femur head and tibia plateau, and compartment syndrome.[3] She credited Dr. Tom Hackett with performing a fasciotomy and a six-hour reconstructive surgery on February 11, 2026, preventing amputation.[3]
Vonn said she required a blood transfusion due to significant blood loss and low hemoglobin levels during her hospital stay.[3] She described the preceding two weeks as her most painful injury experience and noted plans to transition from wheelchair to crutches, anticipating at least two months on crutches.[3]
The skier had competed despite a pre-existing ruptured ACL.[3] The women's downhill race started at 11:00 CET on February 8, following training sessions including one on February 6.[1][2]
Cortina d'Ampezzo previously hosted the 1956 Winter Olympics, where downhill events were held on the same Olympia delle Tofane venue.[4] Vonn holds the women's record of 82 World Cup victories.[5]
Sources
- Milano Cortina 2026 Organising Committee, "Competition Schedule", accessed October 2024, https://www.milancortina2026.org/en/olympic-games/schedule/
- Olympics.com, "Milano Cortina 2026 Schedule - Alpine Skiing", accessed October 2024, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/milano-cortina-2026/schedule/alpine-skiing
- Fox News Digital, "Lindsey Vonn shares update after horrific Olympic crash", February 9, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports
- International Olympic Committee, "Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 Olympic Winter Games", accessed October 2024, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/cortina-1956
- Fédération Internationale de Ski et de Snowboard (FIS), "Lindsey VON - Athlete profile", accessed October 2024, https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-profile.html?sectorcode=AL&competitorid=53613