Lindsey Vonn has revealed she is still recovering physically and emotionally from her crash at the Winter Olympics and does not know when, or if, she will race again. The 41-year-old American skier suffered a complex left leg fracture in the women's downhill in February, an injury that nearly led to amputation.
Vonn has undergone eight surgeries and requires at least one more operation to repair a torn ACL in the same knee. 'I just don't want to jump to any conclusions or even speculate on what I might do,' she said. '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.'
The crash occurred just 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill, ending a season where she led the World Cup downhill standings and had not finished worse than fourth in any race. She has returned from numerous injuries before, including a titanium implant in her right knee, but described this one as different in severity.
Vonn no longer uses a wheelchair and is on crutches, with plans to walk short distances unaided next week. However, she noted that a return to skiing would not be possible until at least the 2027-28 season due to the need for further surgery and rehabilitation. 'I have at least a year and a half ahead of me before I could really be back to 100%, even just training in the gym,' she said.
Despite her father suggesting her career might be over, Vonn remains defiant. '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,' she said. For now, she is focused on recovery, stating she is 'still in survival mode' and wants to avoid making a rash decision about her future.
