- WINTER OLYMPICS. Lindsey Vonn's recklessness: the consequences of competing with a serious injury
- WINTER OLYMPICS. Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn suffers horrific broken leg in shocking 2026 Olympic crash
Lindsey Vonn has undergone a second surgery on her injured leg following a devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, further underlining the severity of the incident that cut short her remarkable comeback.
The 41-year-old skiing legend had only recently returned to elite competition after a six-year hiatus, defying expectations to line up in Cortina just nine days after rupturing the ACL in her left knee during a training run.
The former Olympic champion was just 13 seconds into her downhill run on Sunday when disaster struck.
After rounding the second corner, Vonn appeared to lose control at high speed, careering into one of the plastic markers lining the course.
Her right leg seemed to strike the ground first before she was thrown violently forward, smashing her shoulder into the snow as a cloud of powder engulfed her.
Distressing scenes followed on the mountain, with Vonn seen wincing in pain as she lay on her back in the snow, her skis still attached to her boots, and heard crying out as medics placed her onto a stretcher.
Vonn suffered a broken leg and was airlifted off the mountain before being transported to a hospital in Treviso, where surgeons immediately operated on her left leg.
Second procedure confirms seriousness of injuries
It has now emerged that Vonn has since undergone a second procedure, according to Reuters.
The report stated that she is currently being kept in intensive care, although it is understood this is primarily for privacy rather than increased medical necessity.
Per Reuters, the surgeries were carried out by a joint team of local orthopedic and plastic surgeons, with the aim of preventing complications linked to swelling and blood flow.
The source added that Vonn's personal doctor was present during the operation but only assisted, while Italian surgeons led the procedures.
The Ca' Foncello Hospital in Treviso later announced that she is being kept in isolation in her room by members of the US team and is expected to remain there "a few more days," per Bild.
The U.S Ski and Snowboard Team had initially confirmed on Sunday that Vonn underwent surgery on her injured leg but did not disclose that multiple procedures were required.
The hospital had also not previously mentioned a second operation, highlighting how the full extent of her injuries has only now become clear.
Concerns prior to her run over ACL injury
Despite concerns raised over whether the 2010 Olympic champion was taking a significant risk by competing, Vonn had made the decision to enter Sunday's downhill final after completing multiple training runs.
She had already undergone a reconstruction on her right knee in 2024 and then ruptured her ACL again prior to the Games, yet still chose to race.
Criticism in the aftermath of the crash prompted a response from International Ski Federation (FIS) President Johan Eliasch, who defended the athlete's right to decide for herself.
He said: "I firmly believe that this has to be decided by the individual. And in her case, she certainly knows her injuries a lot better than anybody else."
Eliasch also stressed the sheer misfortune involved, adding: "And what is also important for people to understand that the accident that she had yesterday, she was incredibly unlucky. It was a one in a thousand.
"She got too close to the gate, and she got stuck when she was in the air in the gate and started rotating."
That view was echoed by Pierre Ducrey, sports director of the International Olympic Committee, who said: "She was able to train and made the choice with her excellent team to take part."
The US team has since confirmed that Vonn is stable, but the veteran star now faces a long and uncertain recovery.
For skiing fans around the world, the hope remains that this will not be the final chapter in one of the sport's most extraordinary careers.