Lindsey Vonn has said she remains uncertain about her future in skiing after a severe crash at the Winter Olympics left her with a complex leg fracture that nearly required amputation. The 41-year-old American has undergone eight surgeries and faces at least one more to repair a torn ACL in the same knee.
Speaking about her recovery, Vonn said she is not ready to decide whether to retire. 'I may retire. I may never race again and that would be completely fine, but I'm not in a position emotionally to make that decision at this point,' she said.
Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the women's downhill in February, ending a season where she led the World Cup downhill standings. She has returned from numerous injuries before, but described this one as 'much different' due to its severity and the extreme pain involved.
She is making progress, no longer using a wheelchair and now on crutches, with plans to walk short distances unaided next week. However, she estimated it will be at least a year and a half before she can return to full training, given the need for further surgery.
Vonn's father previously said her career would be over if it were up to him, but she responded: 'He forgot the cardinal rule with me is that if you don't want me to do something, you shouldn't tell me I can't.' For now, she is focused on recovery before considering her future.
