Lindsey Vonn injury update after Olympic downhill crash and surgery

Lindsey Vonn remains in stable condition after a violent crash in the women’s Olympic downhill in Cortina d’Ampezzo, an incident that ended her race seconds after it began and led to surgery for a leg fracture. The update matters beyond one athlete: Vonn’s decision to start the event while managing a recent ACL tear has renewed scrutiny of how fitness-to-compete calls are made at the highest level.

What happened in Cortina

Vonn crashed early in her downhill run on the Olympia delle Tofane course, going down hard just moments after leaving the start. Medical teams treated her on the slope for several minutes before she was airlifted to a hospital in Treviso, Italy.

Officials later confirmed she sustained a fracture in her left leg. The full catalog of secondary injuries, if any, had not been publicly detailed as of Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 (ET).

Lindsey Vonn injury update: what’s been confirmed

Medical care in Italy included two procedures intended to stabilize the injured leg and reduce the risk of complications related to swelling and circulation. Vonn’s personal doctor was present during her care, while the operations were carried out by local surgical teams.

Public communication about her condition has been limited, with further details expected to come through the U.S. delegation rather than directly from the hospital. No formal return-to-sport timeline has been announced.

Key takeaways

• She is described as stable following surgery for a left-leg fracture.

• Care has focused on stabilization and managing swelling-related risks.

• Any timetable for recovery and future racing remains unclear at this time.

The ACL injury factor and why it drew attention

The crash came after Vonn had already been dealing with a torn ACL in her left knee, an injury she sustained late in January. Despite that setback, she traveled to the Games and continued preparations, including downhill training, before ultimately choosing to start the Olympic race.

That context has fueled debate about athlete autonomy versus institutional responsibility. Even when rules allow athletes to compete, the practical question is how much risk is acceptable when a prior injury can change stability, reaction timing, and fall consequences in a sport where speeds and forces are extreme.

What her comeback season adds to the story

Vonn’s return to elite competition has been one of the most closely watched narratives of the season, both because of her age and because she had previously stepped away from the sport for several years. She had also spoken publicly in the past about the physical toll of racing, including major knee issues, and the difficulty of managing pain and recovery across long seasons.

In the weeks before the Olympics, she had produced results that suggested she could contend—making the decision to race in Cortina more than a ceremonial farewell. That combination of form and fragility is part of what has made the aftermath so contentious.

What happens next for Vonn and Team USA

In the short term, the priority is post-operative monitoring, swelling control, and protecting the repaired area while a longer rehabilitation plan is set. Any discussion of future competition will depend on the fracture’s severity, healing progress, and whether knee stability concerns persist from the ACL injury.

For the broader team environment, attention now turns to medical clearance processes and how decisions are documented and communicated during major events—especially when an athlete’s competitive drive intersects with injury risks that can escalate quickly on a downhill course.

Sources consulted: Reuters, Associated Press, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, International Ski and Snowboard Federation