American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn has undergone her ninth surgical procedure after suffering serious leg and ankle injuries in a crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics.von
The 42-year-old shared a video on social media ahead of the operation, admitting she was feeling nervous and anxious but hopeful that it would be her final surgery. She also said she was looking forward to putting the difficult experience behind her.
Vonn revealed that surgeons would remove all the metal hardware inserted during her previous eight operations to repair her injuries, including damage to her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
Explaining the timing of the procedure, she said she had waited nine months to allow her bones to heal before undergoing further treatment. Although she was pleased with the progress of her recovery, she acknowledged that the ACL injury would require another six to nine months of rehabilitation.
The former Olympic champion suffered the devastating crash during the women’s downhill event in Cortina, striking a gate and losing control just 13 seconds into her run. The accident happened only nine days after she had ruptured ligaments in her left knee.
Vonn previously disclosed that the severity of her injuries meant she had come close to having her leg amputated, making the successful recovery of her limb particularly significant.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers in history, Vonn retired from professional competition in 2019 after battling several injuries. However, she made a remarkable comeback in 2024 following a partial replacement of her right knee.
She has recorded 84 World Cup victories during her career, placing her second on the all-time women’s list behind fellow American Mikaela Shiffrin.
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