Lindsey Vonn's Leg 'Still in Pieces' as Shocking Hospital and Home Flight Footage Shared
Lindsey Vonn has returned home to the United States after spending a week in an Italian hospital, following a devastating crash at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics where she suffered a fractured left leg. The 41-year-old skiing legend was airlifted to hospital after hitting a gate in a high-speed accident just 13 seconds into the women's downhill event.
Intensive Medical Journey and Multiple Surgeries
After undergoing four surgeries in Italy, Vonn revealed she has now arrived back in the States, but her journey was far from simple. She posted a video on Instagram detailing the arduous process, which involved an intensive care unit, ambulance transfers, a plane ride, and another hospital admission. In her post, she wrote: "My leg is still in pieces...but I'm finally HOME! Intensive care unit - ambulance - plane - ambulance - hospital."
Vonn expressed gratitude to the medical staff who assisted her and shared her anticipation for an upcoming surgery to remove an external fixator from her leg, which will allow more mobility. She emphasized the severity of her injury, stating: "My injury was a lot more severe than just a broken leg. I'm still wrapping my head around it, what it means and the road ahead...but I'm going to give you more detail in the coming days."
Footage Reveals Challenging Transport and Recovery
The footage shared by Vonn shows her being cared for by medical personnel as she lies on a stretcher with multiple wires and tubes connected to her leg. She was moved by ambulance before being positioned on a stretcher and hoisted onto an aircraft. Throughout the flight, she remained on the stretcher and was hooked up to several monitors. Upon landing in the United States, Vonn was transferred to an American hospital where her treatment will continue.
Potential End to Racing Career and Family Support
Facing a lengthy recovery, Vonn's father, Alan Kildow, has suggested that his daughter's racing career may have come to an end. He told the Associated Press on February 9: "She's 41 years old, and this is the end of her career. There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it. She's a very strong individual."
Kildow praised Vonn's resilience, adding: "She knows physical pain, and she understands the circumstances that she finds herself in. And she's able to handle it. Better than I expected. She's a very, very strong person. And so I think she's handling it real well. She's well cared for. And the USOC and the US Ski team have a very, very top-notch doctor with her, and she is being very well cared for here in Italy."
The Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, running from February 6-22, have been marked by this incident, with fans able to watch coverage on platforms like discovery+. Vonn's recovery journey highlights the risks and challenges faced by elite athletes in high-speed sports.
