'Ski queen' Lindsey Vonn (42·United States) shared an update showing she will never give up. Heading back to the operating table once more, she vowed she will definitely return to the ski slopes.
The U.K.'s The Sun reported on the 22nd (Korea time), "Vonn is facing a sixth surgery after her leg was broken in a horrific accident at the Olympics. She said it has been a difficult time as she must undergo additional surgery," the report said.
Vonn suffered serious injuries while competing in the women's downhill final in alpine skiing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Winter Olympics held at the Tofane Alpine Ski Centre in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, in February. She fell just 13.4 seconds after the start of the race and could not avoid tragedy.
Vonn, who started 13th, lost her balance after hitting a gate before even reaching the first marker and tumbled dangerously across the snow. In the end she could not get back up and was taken from the venue by helicopter. The pain was so intense that removing her skis was difficult. Spectators and other competitors who witnessed it covered their faces in shock.
Vonn, who was immediately taken to the hospital, was reported to have a complex fracture of her left shin. Despite tearing her left knee anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just nine days earlier, she kept her promise to stand at the women's downhill start gate at the Olympics, but once again the accident shattered her dream of reclaiming the gold medal.
In fact, Vonn's Olympic participation itself was close to a miracle. She had originally retired six years earlier, tore her ACL during the final race just before the Olympics and also suffered bone bruises and meniscal damage. An ACL tear is a major injury that typically requires nearly a year of rehabilitation.
Nevertheless, Vonn mustered the will, fitness and grit of steel to make it to the Olympic final start line. She even raised hopes for a medal by placing third overall with a time of 1 minute, 38.28 seconds in the final official practice run held the day before the race. But as had happened in Switzerland a week earlier, she fell hard and was taken away by helicopter, unable to realize her dream.
It turned out Vonn's injury was even more serious than the initial diagnosis. After the accident she developed compartment syndrome in her leg. This is an emergency in which bleeding and swelling cause a rapid rise in pressure within the muscle, cutting off blood flow, and if not properly treated it can lead to permanent damage or amputation.
Although amputation was raised as a worst-case possibility, fortunately Vonn has been treated surgically instead of having an amputation. She returned to the gym for rehabilitation two months after her first surgery and is continuing rehab training, and she is scheduled to undergo a sixth surgery soon.
Vonn said she hopes this will be the last surgery and noted, "The past two months have certainly been difficult, but I have reached several important recovery milestones recently and am gradually returning to normal life. I am always someone who plans for success. I am aiming for a full recovery."
She also said, "I will take a vacation this summer. I have already booked plane tickets. I want to get away from everything and have a good summer. Within the next six weeks I should be able to live a much more normal life," showing optimism as she planned an active summer holiday.
She also vowed she will definitely return to the slopes. Vonn said, "I will go scuba diving, and a friend has agreed to teach me kite surfing. I am an adventurer. I don't just ski," and added forcefully, "Whether at a venue or not, I will definitely ski again."
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Lindsey Vonn social media.
[OSEN]