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Lindsey Vonn has broken her silence on the crash that almost ended with her losing her left leg at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The Alpine skiing legend sat down with Vanity Fair and opened up about the chaos that followed her being airlifted from the course.
Vonn suffered fractures to her tibia, fibula, and ankle in the crash. Tom Hackett and his medical team got her pain medication before ordering a CT scan. The results weren’t good.
MORE: Lindsey Vonn holds her ground as retirement calls grow after Olympic crash
Vonn had a severe fracture that required immediate surgery, so they arranged a transfer to a hospital in Treviso, Italy. The transfer did not go smoothly though. Paparazzi had flooded the helipad, and the helicopter could not land because of the crowd.
“Halfway through, I started sweating. I was just in such extreme pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs: Get me out. It just wouldn’t dissipate. It wouldn’t let up. It’s seared into my brain,” Vonn said.
“Dr. Hackett was on my left. There were a bunch of doctors and nurses around me,” Vonn added. “He said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to save your leg. I got this. I’m scrubbing in.'”
Mandatory Credit: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images
Dr. Hackett assembled a team of 20 medical professionals for the operation, and the surgery went according to plan. Vonn was transferred to the ICU afterward and remained stable for several hours that Sunday night.
Most of the hospital staff had left when things took a turn. Vonn woke up in distress with her pain intensifying and her leg swelling uncontrollably.
MORE: Lindsey Vonn pushes through pain in inspiring recovery video after Olympic setback
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in women’s downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters via Imagn Images
Dr. Hackett diagnosed her with compartment syndrome, a condition where pressure builds and restricts blood flow. The condition can cause nerve damage if left untreated.
Vonn recently posted a video of herself doing weighted Russian twists despite the severity of her injuries. That level of physical activity is uncommon for someone recovering from her condition, especially for an athlete attempting a comeback at 41 years old.
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Vonn suffered fractures to her tibia, fibula, and ankle in the crash. Tom Hackett and his medical team got her pain medication before ordering a CT scan. The results weren’t good.
MORE: Lindsey Vonn holds her ground as retirement calls grow after Olympic crash
Vonn had a severe fracture that required immediate surgery, so they arranged a transfer to a hospital in Treviso, Italy. The transfer did not go smoothly though. Paparazzi had flooded the helipad, and the helicopter could not land because of the crowd.
“Halfway through, I started sweating. I was just in such extreme pain. I screamed at the top of my lungs: Get me out. It just wouldn’t dissipate. It wouldn’t let up. It’s seared into my brain,” Vonn said.
“Dr. Hackett was on my left. There were a bunch of doctors and nurses around me,” Vonn added. “He said, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to save your leg. I got this. I’m scrubbing in.'”
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Mandatory Credit: Leonhard Foeger/Reuters via Imagn Images
Dr. Hackett assembled a team of 20 medical professionals for the operation, and the surgery went according to plan. Vonn was transferred to the ICU afterward and remained stable for several hours that Sunday night.
Most of the hospital staff had left when things took a turn. Vonn woke up in distress with her pain intensifying and her leg swelling uncontrollably.
MORE: Lindsey Vonn pushes through pain in inspiring recovery video after Olympic setback
You must be registered for see images attach
Lindsey Vonn of the United States in women’s downhill training during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Mandatory Credit: Lisi Niesner/Reuters via Imagn Images
Dr. Hackett diagnosed her with compartment syndrome, a condition where pressure builds and restricts blood flow. The condition can cause nerve damage if left untreated.
Vonn recently posted a video of herself doing weighted Russian twists despite the severity of her injuries. That level of physical activity is uncommon for someone recovering from her condition, especially for an athlete attempting a comeback at 41 years old.
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MARCH MADNESS: 2026 Sweet 16 TV schedule, game times & dates for NCAA Tournament
MLB: Who has the highest Opening Day payroll in MLB? Not the Dodgers
NFL: Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty weighs in on Fernando Mendoza-Ty Simpson debate
SPORTS MEDIA: 2026 MLB Opening Day TV schedule, full list of games
ENTERTAINMENT: 2026 Sports Emmy Awards nominees, full list announced
VIRAL: Best & most outrageous MLB ballpark foods for 2026 season
Continue reading...
