Lindsey Vonn, a 41-year-old American alpine skier with two Olympic bronze medals from the 2010 Vancouver Games and a women's record 82 World Cup wins, posted a video update on Instagram on February 17, 2026, describing serious injuries from a crash during the women's downhill event at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.[1][2]

The downhill race took place on February 8, 2026, at the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, as part of the alpine skiing program hosted at the site of the 1956 Winter Olympics.[3][4]

Vonn, who retired in 2019 before attempting a comeback for these Games despite a prior ruptured ACL, crashed during her run and was airlifted from the mountain.[1][5]

In the video, she explained suffering a complex tibial fracture, fractures of the femoral head and tibial plateau, and compartment syndrome, which led to multiple surgeries including a fasciotomy performed by U.S. Ski & Snowboard team physician Dr. Tom Hackett to prevent amputation.[1][6]

Vonn stated she lost significant blood during the six-hour reconstructive surgery on February 12, 2026, requiring a transfusion due to low hemoglobin levels, and spent additional time in hospital managing pain before discharge.[1]

She described the injury as "by far the most extreme and painful and challenging" of her career and expressed gratitude to Dr. Hackett, noting plans to transition from wheelchair to crutches soon but anticipating at least two months on crutches followed by a long recovery.[1]

Sources

1. Fox News Digital, "American Olympic legend Lindsey Vonn shared she nearly lost her left leg after Olympics crash," February 17, 2026, https://www.foxnews.com/sports/lindsey-vonn-nearly-lost-leg-blood-transfusion-winter-olympics-crash
2. Olympics.com, "Lindsey Vonn," accessed February 2026, https://olympics.com/en/athletes/lindsey-vonn
3. Milano Cortina 2026, "Alpine Skiing Competition Schedule," December 20, 2024, https://www.milanocortina2026.org/en/olympic-games/programme/alpine-skiing
4. International Olympic Committee, "Cortina d'Ampezzo," accessed February 2026, https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/milan-cortina-2026/venues/olympia-delle-tofane-cortina
5. ESPN, "Lindsey Vonn not ruling out 2026 Olympics comeback," February 7, 2024, https://www.espn.com/olympics/story/_/id/39539245/lindsey-vonn-not-ruling-2026-olympics
6. Steadman Clinic, "Tom Hackett, MD," accessed February 2026, https://www.steadmanclinic.com/doctors/thomas-hackett-md/