Lindsey Vonn has said that the decision about when to retire will be entirely hers, urging people to stop telling her what she should do next.
The 41-year-old skier, who is recovering from a serious crash during the downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, addressed the speculation about her future in a social media message on Sunday. She explained that she is not ready to talk about whether she will continue skiing or step away from the sport.
Vonn reflected on the satisfaction of returning to the top of the sport at 41 and setting new records, but emphasized that only she will determine what comes next in her career. She said she does not need anyone’s approval to do what makes her happy, adding that she will reveal her decision when the time is right.
Her comments came after a critic suggested she should retire following the accident. Vonn responded by saying her determination should not be mistaken for ego, noting that she simply loves skiing and will choose when to step back on her own terms.
During the Olympic race in February, Vonn crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill run, suffering a complex fracture of the tibia in her left leg. The injury also led to compartment syndrome a condition where pressure builds up within a muscle, restricting blood flow and potentially causing lasting damage if not treated quickly.
Despite the severity of the injury, she has been sharing updates of her recovery since returning from Italy, including videos of weight training and short sessions on a stationary bike as she gradually rebuilds strength.
Vonn had returned to competition last season after nearly six years away from racing following knee replacement surgery. During the comeback campaign she won two downhill races and secured three additional podium finishes. She was considered one of the favourites going into the Olympic downhill, the same event she famously won at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
For now, Vonn says her main priority is recovering from the injury and getting back to everyday life, noting that she already spent six years retired and has a fulfilling life beyond competitive skiing.
Be the first to comment