Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images

Lindsey Vonn Announces Difficult Personal Update

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zahid Rashid | Last updated Mar 1, 2026 6:47 PM ET

Lindsey Vonn’s daring attempt at an Olympic comeback fell well short of expectations in Milan-Cortina, Italy, as the American skier crashed in her first race of the event last month. She had to be airlifted off the mountain and suffered multiple fractures that prematurely ended her campaign.

Vonn’s comeback had already gotten off to the worst possible start when she tore her left ACL just a week before the Winter Games. Despite criticism from some circles, the three-time Olympic medalist chose to compete, but suffered a brutal crash just 13 seconds into her race.

The 41-year-old severely fractured her tibia, fibular head, and tibial plateau in the same leg in which she had torn her ACL, and she subsequently underwent at least five surgeries. As if the career setback and injuries weren’t enough, Vonn also endured a heartbreaking blow in her personal life.

Lindsey Vonn in action at the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images

On the same day she crashed, Vonn lost her beloved dog, Leo. Upon returning home Sunday, the Olympic champion admitted she was struggling to accept the reality of his absence.

"Home sweet home. Feels good to sleep in my own bed… but wheeling through the front door without Leo greeting me like always was a very hard reality. A reality I had to face. Along with many other hard realities that lay in front of me as I move forward…." she wrote in an Instagram post.

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Vonn added that she is now focused “on therapy and getting healthy,” acknowledging that the road ahead will be painful but emphasizing she plans to give it everything she has.

"I’m going to take some time for myself. I’ll give you updates when I can but right now my focus is on taking care of myself. As always, thank you for the love and support ❤️," she added.

It will certainly be a difficult journey, but Vonn has overcome adversity many times before. She endured multiple surgeries prior to her first retirement in 2019 and has also previously faced the loss of two other pet dogs.

As for her career, 2026 was likely her final appearance at the Olympic Games. While a return to the World Cup circuit isn’t impossible, the chances appear slim given the severity of her injuries and the lengthy recovery timeline.

Regardless of what she decides, Vonn will remain one of the most successful Alpine skiers in history, with her 84 World Cup victories marking the second-most by a female in the sport’s history.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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