Lindsey Vonn undergoes second surgery as extent of injuries revealed after crash | Other | Sport

The event was delayed for around 20 minutes as Vonn lay in agony before she was airlifted to hospital. She was competing in the Games just weeks after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a separate incident. The 41-year-old is yet to speak publicly since the crash and it’s not known if she will return to competitive skiing once she recovers.

It later transpired that Vonn had suffered a broken leg and she underwent a surgical procedure later on Sunday. Now, it has emerged that she had another operation on Monday morning.

The veteran skier, who initially needed a stabilisation procedure, had a ‘double operation’ on Monday to reduce the femur fracture in her left leg with external fixation.

The surgery took place at Ca’ Foncello Hospital, the main medical facility in Treviso, after Vonn was transferred from Codivilla Hospital in Cortina D’Ampezzo.

Roberto Cit, the pilot in control of the helicopter that attended the crash, said the weather was perfect for the operation and confirmed that it was a success.

“Today’s conditions were optimal and we worked very well together as a team,” he said. “We stayed composed and carried out the operation as well as possible. I believe the result was good.”

Vonn was taking part in her first Winter Olympics in eight years, having staged a remarkable comeback in 2025 after half a decade away from the limelight.

Her decision to participate was a surprising one, given that she had ruptured her ACL just days before travelling to Italy for the Games.

Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow insisted that she was conscious of all the dangers and was merely testing her limits, while also reassuring fans that she was getting the best possible medical care.

Kildow said: “I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay.

“It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign. But she really… she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay.

“She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”