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Lindsey Vonn is expected to undergo further surgeries in the United States after sustaining a complex tibia fracture in her left leg during a crash in the Olympic downhill at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, U.S. ski officials said.
The American veteran skier was initially treated in Italy following the accident, with multiple procedures already completed.
Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association, told The Associated Press that Vonn will return home for additional medical care as doctors continue to evaluate her recovery plan.
"We're working through all of that at the moment," Goldschmidt said, adding that a support team is assisting the skier and confirming that further operations are scheduled once she arrives in the U.S.
Vonn is aware that skiing is a high-risk sport
Lindsey Vonn, 41, crashed just 13 seconds into her run after catching a gate, spinning, and sliding down the course. She had entered the race attempting a comeback despite significant prior injuries, including a torn ACL in her left knee and a partial titanium replacement in her right knee.
"The impact, the silence - everyone was just in shock. You could tell it was a really nasty injury," Goldschmidt said, while emphasizing that Vonn is stable and not in pain.
She added that the incident underscores the inherent risks of Alpine skiing while highlighting the resilience required of elite competitors.
In a message posted on social media, Lindsey Vonn acknowledged the risks involved in her return to competition.
When I think back on my crash, I didn't stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences," she wrote. "I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk... That's the gamble of chasing your dreams - you might fall, but if you don't try you'll never know.
Lindsey Vonn's medals
One of the most decorated skiers of her era, Vonn captured three gold medals among her 11 major championship podium finishes:
- 2010 - Vancouver Winter Games - Downhill
- 2009 - Val-d'Isère World Championship - Downhill
- 2009 - Val-d'Isère World Championship - Super-G
Her timeline for recovery remains uncertain as she prepares for the next phase of treatment.