Team USA star Lindsey Vonn suffered another serious injury after falling in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics on Sunday
Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg, according to the Italian hospital that treated her after her horrific accident at the Winter Olympics.
Vonn was looking for a feat at the Olympic meet, competing just over a week after suffering a torn ACL in the same leg. The 41-year-old athlete was taken by helicopter to hospital after the fall, and history repeated itself when she was eliminated from Sunday’s women’s downhill in Cortina.
The gold medal was won by fellow American Breezy Johnson. Germany’s Emma Aicher took silver, and bronze went to Italy’s Sofia Goggia. Johnson was emotional upon receiving his medal and sent a message to Vonn at his press conference.
“In the afternoon she underwent orthopedic surgery to stabilize the fracture suffered in her left leg,” said the Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso in a statement to Reuters.
Vonn’s race lasted just 13 seconds before she lost control after hitting a door and taking a hard fall. The athlete, who won the 2010 downhill gold medal, was heard screaming in pain before she was strapped to a stretcher and airlifted to hospital.
Earlier Sunday afternoon, US Ski & Snowboard said that “Lindsey Vonn suffered an injury, but is in stable condition and in good hands with a team of American and Italian doctors.”
Vonn’s hopes of competing in her fifth Winter Olympics appeared to be over after she suffered a torn ACL in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, last week.
But after the mishap he continued with his intention to compete in Italy. He aimed to achieve his second Olympic gold, something that seemed very difficult and ended in disaster.
Vonn’s sister, Karin Kildow, spoke to USA Today after the accident. He said: “That was definitely the last thing we wanted to see and it happened so quickly, and when that happens you just immediately wish it was okay.”
“And it was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being rolled out, it’s not a good sign. But she really dared a lot and gave it her all. So it’s very hard to watch, but we really hope she’s okay,” he added.
“She has all her surgeons, her physical therapy team and her doctors here, so I’m sure they will give us a report and we will meet her at the hospital where she is,” he added.
date: 2026-02-08 22:11:00
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