Vonn has ninth operation after Olympic crash

9 operations have been undergone by American skier Lindsey Vonn after breaking a leg and ankle in a crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to BBC. The 42-year-old uploaded a video on social media before the procedure, saying she was "praying" it would be her last operation and she was "nervous and anxious" but "excited to hopefully put it behind me".

Vonn explained surgeons would remove all of the hardware that was installed during eight previous procedures to repair her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The crash occurred while racing in the Olympic downhill in Cortina - nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee - when Vonn struck a gate and crashed 13 seconds into her run.

The New York Post reported that Vonn was 'nervous and anxious' for the ninth surgery. USA Today stated that Vonn has ninth, and she hopes final, surgery after Olympic crash. People.com mentioned that Lindsey Vonn Savors Final Moment Wearing Heels Ahead of Her Ninth Surgery Post-Olympics Crash.

The 2010 Olympic downhill champion previously revealed the operations had meant she did not have to have her leg amputated. Vonn, who is regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time, retired in 2019 after suffering numerous leg injuries. She made a shock return in 2024 after a partial right knee replacement.

What is still unknown is the outcome of this ninth operation and whether it will be her last. Vonn has won 84 World Cup races - second in the all-time women's list behind compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin. The recovery time for this operation is expected to be six to nine months, as stated by Vonn.