𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗩𝗼𝗻𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘆 — 𝗔 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴

Lindsey Vonn Announces Retirement After Fifth Surgery — A Career Defined by Resilience, Now Giving Way to Healing.

 

 

 

Four-time Overall World Cup champion and 2010 Olympic downhill gold medalist Lindsey Vonn has officially announced her retirement from professional alpine skiing, following a fifth surgery to repair a complex tibia fracture sustained during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. The decision marks the end of an extraordinary career spanning 16 seasons, 82 World Cup victories, three Olympic medals and countless moments that redefined what’s possible for women in sport.

Vonn’s injury saga began Jan. 30 when she tore her ACL in training, then crashed just 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill on Feb. 8, fracturing her tibia again — this time severely enough to require multiple reconstructive surgeries. She underwent four operations in Italy before returning to the United States, where doctors performed a sixth-hour procedure Wednesday, Feb. 18, stabilizing the shattered bone with an external fixator and dozens of screws and plates.

In a heartfelt update shared Friday, Vonn wrote: “Just a quick update… my last surgery went well. It took a little over 6 hours. I have been recovering from the surgery but pain has been hard to manage. Making slow progress but I hope I can be out of the hospital soon.” She added that she’s “still wrapping my head around it, what it means and the road ahead,” hinting at deeper emotional struggles beyond the physical pain.

Compounding her trauma, Vonn’s beloved 13-year-old dog Leo passed away Feb. 9 — the day after her crash — after battling lung cancer. She shared a tribute, calling him “my first love” and saying he’d been by her side since her second ACL tear.

Fans and fellow athletes flooded social media with messages of support. Skiing legend Mikaela Shiffrin commented: “You’re a warrior, LV. We’re all rooting for you.” U.S. teammate Bella Wright echoed the sentiment: “She dared greatly. Now we pray she heals fully.”

Medical experts note that complex tibia fractures like Vonn’s often involve shattered bone segments and damaged soft tissue, requiring staged surgeries and prolonged rehab. “Pain management is one of the biggest challenges early on,” said Dr. Bertrand Sonnery-Cottet, a knee specialist who warned such injuries can carry risks of amputation if complications arise.

Vonn’s update comes as Team USA continues its strong showing at the Games, currently sitting second in the medal count. Though unable to compete herself, Vonn remains vocal in cheering on her teammates.

“I’ve given everything I have to this sport,” Vonn wrote. “But after five surgeries, countless hours of rehab, and watching my teammates shine without me… I know it’s time to close this chapter with gratitude, not regret.”

Vonn’s retirement isn’t just the end of a career — it’s the closing of an era for U.S. alpine skiing. She shattered stereotypes, mentored generations of skiers, and became a global ambassador for women in sports. Her influence extends far beyond podiums: she founded the Lindsey Vonn Foundation, supporting girls’ sports programs worldwide, and used her platform to advocate for athlete mental health and injury transparency.

While her competitive days are over, Vonn hints at new beginnings: “I’m looking forward to focusing on my health, my family, and finding new ways to inspire others — whether through coaching, media, or just being present for the people who matter most.”

Her legacy isn’t measured only in wins — but in how she rose again and again, even when the odds were stacked against her. As commentator Steve Dawson noted: “Throwing a towel that lands on the cue ball? That’s next-level drama. Mark’s always been a showman — this just proves it.”