Lindsey Vonn Undergoes Surgery After Devastating Olympics Crash

The three-time Olympic medalist fractured her left leg in a dramatic downhill race accident.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Hours after crashing 13 seconds into the women's downhill race at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy and being airlifted off the course, Lindsey Vonn underwent surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg. The 41-year-old U.S. skier was in stable condition after the operation performed by a multidisciplinary medical team.

Why it matters

Vonn's dramatic crash and injury brought a heartbreaking end to her inspiring Olympic comeback story. The three-time medalist had returned to competition after being forced to retire in 2019 due to a previous knee injury. Her crash highlighted the inherent dangers of the high-speed downhill event.

The details

Vonn was competing without an ACL in her left knee, which she had ruptured just nine days earlier in a tune-up race in Switzerland. However, the crash was not caused by her bum knee - her right arm clipped a gate, twisting her body in the air and leading to the fall. Vonn was on the ground for about 20 minutes before being airlifted away, and the race resumed after her evacuation.

  • On February 8, 2026, Lindsey Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the women's downhill race at the Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.
  • Vonn was airlifted off the course and taken to a hospital in Cortina, where she underwent surgery on her left leg later that day.

The players

Lindsey Vonn

A 41-year-old American skier and three-time Olympic medalist who was attempting a comeback at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Karin Kildow

Lindsey Vonn's sister, who commented on the crash while Vonn was being tended to on the course.

Breezy Johnson

A 30-year-old American skier who won the gold medal in the women's downhill event after Vonn's crash.

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What they’re saying

“That was definitely the last thing we wanted to see. It happened quick... She just dared greatly. She put it all out there. It's really hard to see but we hope she is okay.”

— Karin Kildow, Lindsey Vonn's sister (NBC)

What’s next

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team said Vonn was in stable condition, and she will continue to be evaluated and treated by a team of American and Italian physicians.

The takeaway

Lindsey Vonn's dramatic crash and injury at the 2026 Olympics brought a heartbreaking end to her inspiring comeback story, highlighting the inherent dangers of the high-speed downhill event. Her resilience and determination to compete despite a previous knee injury were on full display, even as her Olympic dream ended in a devastating fall.