US Skier Lindsey Vonn Announces ‘First Big Travel’ After Winter Olympics Crash
US snowboarding legend Lindsey Vonn is taking a brand new step in her lengthy restoration journey after a devastating crash on the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old Olympic medalist not too long ago shared on her Instagram Story a photograph that confirmed her “first big trip,” giving followers a small however emotional have a look at how she is slowly returning to regular life.
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The put up comes months after a daunting downhill crash that ended her Olympic comeback in seconds. She was even noticed on the Los Angeles whereas airport touring with crutches.
Her restoration journey has been lengthy and painful since Feb. 8, 2026, when she crashed simply 13 seconds into her girls’s downhill run on the Winter Olympics in Italy. The affect triggered a fancy tibia fracture in her left leg, forcing medical groups to airlift her from the mountain to a hospital.
Lindsey Vonn inspects the slope earlier than the second official coaching for the ladies’s downhill occasion on the Tofane Alpine Skiing Center throughout Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo on February 6, 2026. Photo by Stefano RELLANDINI / AFP by way of Getty Images
Vonn underwent a number of surgical procedures, with docs at one level practically pressured to amputate her leg as a consequence of issues from compartment syndrome. She has since had a complete of 5 surgical procedures whereas persevering with intense rehabilitation.
Even with the challenges, Vonn has continued to share updates with followers. Vonn’s restoration has not solely been bodily but additionally deeply emotional. Nearly three months after her crash, she has brazenly shared the psychological struggles that got here along with her damage.
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In an interview with Peopleshe described how tough the expertise has been, particularly after shedding her independence throughout her hospital keep.
“It’s definitely been up and down,” she mentioned of her psychological well being as she continues her rehab course of. “I’d say in the last month, it’s definitely gotten better, but of course there were really low moments. I hate being dependent on people, and was pretty much 100% dependent for everything. It was quite a challenge, just being in the hospital alone for two and a half weeks. Being completely immobile for that extended time period was so rough.”
Vonn additionally revealed that at one level throughout remedy, she was in excessive ache that left a powerful emotional reminiscence of the expertise.
“Halfway through, I started sweating. I was just in such extreme pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs: Get me out,” she informed Vanity Fair.
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“It just wouldn’t dissipate. It wouldn’t let up. It’s seared into my brain.”
She additionally revealed the emotional toll of her restoration, together with intervals of depression depressionwhereas persevering with to combat by rehabilitation.
Even whereas recovering, Vonn has remained energetic in different components of her life. She is at the moment concerned in advocacy work and public campaigns, together with Invivyd’s “Antibodies for Any Body” marketing campaign.
She can be making ready for a significant public look because the graduation speaker for the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism on May 15.
While she remains to be removed from returning to aggressive snowboarding, Vonn has mentioned she is starting to see progress in her restoration timeline and believes she is transferring nearer to a extra regular life.
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Related: US Skier Lindsey Vonn Gets Emotional on Important Day
This story was initially printed by Parade on Apr 30, 2026, the place it first appeared within the Celebs part. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
