Lindsey Vonn Opens Up In Emotional First Interview Since Olympics Crash
on Mar 26, 2026
Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Fractures Her Leg During The 2026 Winter Games
On February 8th, U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn fractured her left leg in a crash during the downhill competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
After being airlifted to the hospital, her teammate Breezy Johnson continued competing and secured the gold medal for Team USA.
The following day, Vonn shared further details about her condition, confirming she suffered a complex fracture of her tibia. Although the injury is stable, it will require multiple surgeries to fully repair.
Vonn Shares Her Difficult Recovery Journey
Since then, Vonn has shared many updates regarding her recovery and multiple surgeries she’s undergone. On February 11th, the 41-year-old shared a series of photos from her hospital bed.
“I had my 3rd surgery today and it was successful,” she wrote at the time. “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.”
Vonn also expressed gratitude to her medical team, family, and fans for their unwavering support during her recovery.
“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.”
The skier said at the time that she doesn’t regret anything she’s done as far as competing in the Olympics goes. Vonn did say, however, that her injury was “by far the most extreme, and painful, and challenging” one she has ever faced. The pain was “out of control,” according to the Olympian.
RELATED: Olympic Skier Lindsey Vonn Shares Update As She Returns Home To The United States
Vonn Gives Her First Interview Following The Horrific Crash
In her first interview since the Olympics, Vonn reflected on her terrifying crash and the five surgeries that followed.
“My leg was broken. My skis were still on. My leg was torqued, and I couldn’t get my skis off. I couldn’t move, and I was yelling for help,” Vonn told Vanity Fair. “I just needed someone to take my skis off.”
Vonn quickly began experiencing “compartment syndrome” where blood flow is so restricted it begins causing widespread nerve damage.
“Dr. Hackett was on my left. There were a bunch of doctors and nurses around me,” Vonn recalled. “He said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to save your leg. I got this. I’m scrubbing in.’ ”
The three-time Olympic medalist had surged back to the top of the downhill rankings with the Games approaching, until, just nine days before they began, she crashed midway down the slope at Crans-Montana, tearing her ACL.
“It’s hard to tell with this injury. It’s so f—ed up. I really feel like that was a horrible last run to end my career on,” she recalled. “I only made it 13 seconds. But they were a really good 13 seconds.”
While many assumed her career was over, Vonn never did. Despite the intense media attention surrounding the crash, she also doesn’t want it to define her legacy.
“I don’t want people to hang on this crash and be remembered for that,” she told the magazine. “What I did before the Olympics has never been done before. I was number one in the standings. No one remembers that I was winning.”
Although she remains uncertain about what lies ahead, Vonn said she won’t “close the door on anything, because you just never know what’s going to happen.”
