Lindsey Vonn hints at return to skiing despite fourth surgery on her broken leg after Winter Olympics horror crash
Challenger Lindsey Vonn has claimed she will one day ski again despite a horrific crash at the Winter Olympics that has led to fears she could lose her left leg.
Vonn, 41, underwent a fourth surgery for a complex tibia fracture on her broken leg at a hospital in Italy on Saturday, but told followers on social media that things were going well and she could return to the United States soon.
In an emotional post, Vonn added that she had no regrets about competing in the event — she had torn the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee days before the accident, which she insists had no bearing on what happened — and conspicuously promised to ski again someday in the future.
Although she may have meant it for entertainment purposes rather than trying to compete at the highest level once again, Vonn said: ‘Please don’t be upset. The journey was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night, I have no regrets and my love for skiing continues.
‘I still look forward to the moment when I can stand on the mountaintop once again. And I will.’
He also stated that the fourth surgery he had on his leg was successful and said, ‘The surgery went well today! Thank goodness I can finally return to the USA!
Lindsey Vonn had surgery for the fourth time on her broken leg at the hospital in Italy on Saturday.
‘I will give you more updates and information regarding my injury when I return…. But until then, as I sit on my bed thinking, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share…’
Vonn later insisted that she didn’t want people to feel sorry for her after suffering such a horrific leg break.
‘I’ve read a lot of messages and comments saying they were upset about what happened to me. “Please don’t be upset,” he said. ‘I wholeheartedly welcome empathy, love and support, but please do not express sadness or sympathy.
‘I hope instead it gives you the strength to keep fighting, because that’s what I’m doing and will continue to do. Always.
‘When I think back to my accident, I didn’t stand at the starting gate unaware of the possible consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take risks. Every skier at the starting gate took the same risk.
‘Because even if you are the most powerful person in the world, the cards are always in the mountain’s hand.’
Vonn lost control on the opening cross last Sunday after cutting too tightly off the line and spun in the air.
After the crash, she was heard screaming as she was surrounded by medical staff before being strapped to a stretcher and flown away by helicopter.
On Saturday, Vonn shared video of her last run before the accident that changed everything at the Games, saying: ‘This was my last run before my Olympic race. A classic Cortina day. Thank goodness I have this memory.’
Although his latest comments are positive, they may concern his father. Alan Kildow has made no secret of how much he wants his daughter to retire after seeing her seriously injured at the Games.
“He’s 41 years old and this is the end of his career,” he told The Associated Press last week. ‘There will be no more ski racing for Lindsey Vonn as long as I have something to say about it.’
‘He is a very strong individual. He knows physical pain and understands his circumstances.
‘And he can handle it. Better than I expected. He’s a very, very strong person. And so I think he handled it really well.’
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