Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn makes it back to United States after horrific crash, multiple surgeries in Italy

Lindsey Vonn is finally back in the United States.

The skier, who has undergone several surgeries in Italy after her devastating crash early in the Milan Cortina Olympics, revealed on social media Monday night that she had made it back home to the United States.

While she’s not yet been on her feet since the crash, Vonn said being “back on home soil feels amazing.”

The 41-year-old fractured her left leg just 13 seconds into her downhill race earlier in the Olympics in a massive crash. She had to be airlifted off the course and ended up needing four surgeries in Italy.

Vonn revealed after her last procedure that she was preparing to return to the United States. Vonn may need to undergo further surgeries, as well.

Vonn retired from the sport in 2019, but opted to return in 2024 after undergoing a knee replacement. She said her body “felt so good” after that procedure, and she wanted to return for the Games in Cortina D’Ampezzo, the site of her first World Cup podium and the place where she’s won a record 12 World Cup races. But a week before the Opening Ceremony, Vonn crashed into a barrier training in Switzerland and had to be airlifted off the course. She completely tore her ACL. Despite that injury, Vonn competed in the Olympics anyway.

Vonn has won three Olympic medals in her career. Her time competing professionally, however, is almost certainly over.

"She's 41 years old, and this is the end of her career," her dad, Alan Kidlow, said last week. "There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it."

Even though Vonn still has a long recovery ahead of her, she’s finally back in the United States. Considering how rough her crash was, that’s a major milestone and should help her significantly.