Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:47 p.m. / Updated Saturday, February 14, 2026, 11:47 p.m.
Lindsey Vonn (41) suffered a serious leg fracture following a fall at the Milan Olympics and has already undergone four operations. All went successfully, and at the end of the last intervention, the skier announced publicly, through Instagram, that “she is finally returning to the United States of America”.
Also, the skier had a long manifest message explaining why she competed, given that she was in a recovery period.
Lindsey Vonn, message after fourth surgery: “I knew what I was doing. I chose the risk”
“The surgery went well! Thankfully, I will finally be able to return to the US! When I get back, I will share more information and updates about my injury with you… But until then, as I sit here in bed and think, I have a few thoughts I'd like to share…
I have read many messages and comments where people say that what happened to me makes them sad. Please don't be sad. Empathy, love and support I accept with an open heart, but sadness and pity – not. I hope that this, in turn, gives you the strength to keep fighting, because that's what I do and I will continue to do,” said Lindsey Vonn, according to sportal.blic.rs.
He also added that he would always choose the risk and that he does not want to allow himself to regret missing a competition.
“When I think about my fall, I was aware of the possible consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose the risk. Every skier at that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds all the cards. I was ready to take risks, push myself to the limits and sacrifice myself for something I knew I was absolutely capable of. I will always rather accept the risk of falling while giving it my best than not skiing and living with regrets.
I never want to cross the finish line and say, “What if?” And to be completely honest, at that moment I was physically stronger than I had been before. Definitely stronger than when I finished my career in 2019 when I won a bronze medal at the World Championships. And mentally… Mentally I was perfect. Focused, hungry for success, aggressive, yet completely calm… just like I've been practicing for the past few months while I've been on the podium at every downhill this season. Two wins and the leading position… all this was a test to prepare for the Olympics.
Mentally, I was more prepared than ever. But the fact that I was prepared did not guarantee me anything. In life nothing is guaranteed. That's the risk you have to take when chasing your dreams: you might fall, but if you don't try, you'll never know. So please don't be sad. The race was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night, I have no regrets and the love for skiing remains. I still look forward to the moment when I will stand on top of the mountain again. And I know I will,” Lindsey Vonn concluded the message on social media.
Lindsey Vonn, horror accident in Milan-Cortina: she was taken by helicopter from the slope
At the start of the downhill race at the Milan – Cortina Olympics, skiing star Lindsey Vonn suffered a serious fall. Lindsey Vonn showed up at the start wearing number 13 and wearing a knee pad that she had injured at Kran Montana on January 30. Her run to a new gold ended after exactly 13 seconds. It seems that he hooked the fourth gate with his shoulder, lost control, and then crashed heavily into the snow at a speed of 100 kilometers per hour!
She was quickly surrounded by medics before the yellow helicopter arrived and evacuated the 41-year-old skier from the slope, strapped into an orange stretcher.
