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Lindsey Vonn has shared an emotional update from her hospital bed in Italy after undergoing a third surgery on the leg she broke during her dramatic Winter Olympics comeback at 41.
The American skiing icon, representing Team USA, suffered a complex tibia fracture in her left leg during the downhill final in Cortina.
Already competing with a torn ACL in the same knee, Vonn has firmly stated that the pre-existing injury played no role in the accident that abruptly ended her Olympic return.
Posting a photo from her hospital bed on Instagram, Vonn revealed the latest development in her recovery as she bravely posed with a thumbs up and included her damaged leg in the image.
"I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I'm making progress and while it is slow, I know I'll be ok," she said.
"Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world.
"Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for."
How did Lindsey Vonn suffer a broken leg?
The crash itself was as violent as it was sudden. During her Olympic downhill run in Cortina, Vonn sped over a hill before drifting off her ideal racing line.
She careered into a plastic course marker and was thrown off balance. Her right leg appeared to strike the snow first as a cloud of powder engulfed her, before she tumbled forward again, seemingly smashing her shoulder into the slope.
The crowd in Cortina fell silent as medical teams rushed to her aid. After being stabilized on the mountain, she was airlifted to hospital for further treatment.
Dr Thomas Spallinger, who was among the first responders, later detailed the severity of the situation in comments to El Mundo.
"I intervened with the Carabinieri officer who was on duty with me at the start of the races, and we reached her on skis,"Dr Spallinger told El Mundo.
"We assessed her and, given the nature of her injury, we decided to arrange for her to be transferred to the hospital by rescue helicopter.
"She was in a lot of pain at the time, so I rushed to begin treatment on site and stabilized her. Her physical therapist also intervened and helped us calm her until the helicopter arrived."
A comeback halted but not regretted
The day after the crash, a visibly devastated Lindsey Vonn addressed fans with a candid reflection on how her Olympic return had ended.
"My Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn't a story book ending or a fairy tale, it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it.
"Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.
"I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.
"Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.
"While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget."
For Vonn, one of the most decorated alpine skiers in history, the road back will be long and uncertain. Her Olympic dream may be over, but her resilience remains an inspirational story to guide Team USA to medal glory.