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Lindsey Vonn's ankle still broken five months after Olympic crash
🇩🇪 Germany /Sports

Lindsey Vonn's ankle still broken five months after Olympic crash

From Der Spiegel · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Lindsey Vonn, the celebrated American ski racer, is still recovering from a severe ankle injury sustained five months ago.
  • The injury occurred during an Olympic downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where she crashed less than 14 seconds into the event.
  • Vonn, who retired from professional skiing in February 2019, has undergone multiple surgeries and is working through a lengthy rehabilitation process.

American ski racing legend Lindsey Vonn is still grappling with the aftermath of a severe ankle injury sustained five months ago during an Olympic downhill race in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The 41-year-old athlete crashed less than 14 seconds into the event and is continuing to face challenges with her knee and lower leg.

"My ankle is still broken," Vonn told People magazine at the ESPY Awards in New York, adding, "And it continues to be difficult for me to walk." She described the recovery process as very lengthy, noting that for nearly three and a half months, she was unable to walk without assistance.

My ankle is still broken. And it continues to be difficult for me to walk.

— Lindsey VonnDescribing her ongoing recovery from a severe ankle injury.

Despite the ongoing difficulties, Vonn expressed gratitude for being able to stand again. She recently shared a video compilation on Instagram showcasing her rehabilitation progress, moving from a wheelchair to performing squats with weights. "I knew I would get here one day," Vonn wrote alongside the video, "It took five months, but now I'm finally here!"

I knew I would get here one day. It took five months, but now I'm finally here!

— Lindsey VonnCommenting on her rehabilitation progress shared on Instagram.

Vonn, widely considered one of the greatest downhill skiers in history, retired from the sport in February 2019. Her career was marked by numerous accolades, including 83 World Cup victories. She had previously undergone a partial knee replacement in April 2024 and made a comeback to win in St. Moritz in December 2025, seven years after her previous World Cup win.

Her pursuit of a gold medal in Italy in February 2024 led her to compete with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a decision that ended in a tragic crash. Following the accident, Vonn required multiple surgeries and relied on a wheelchair and crutches. While her physical strength is returning, she noted that the mental aspect of recovery is also significant. Vonn has reportedly considered a comeback, telling NBC's "Today" show in April that she "can continue," though she has not made a final decision. She will turn 42 in October.

I can continue.

— Lindsey VonnIndicating a potential return to skiing, as reported by NBC's "Today".
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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