- Lindsey Vonn says her bones have healed after surgery, but she now faces another six to nine months of recovery for an ACL injury.
- Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill in Cortina, nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee.
- The 2010 Olympic downhill champion returned to skiing in 2024 after a partial right knee replacement and has won 84 World Cup races.
Lindsey Vonn faces another six to nine months of recovery
Lindsey Vonn is facing another lengthy rehabilitation period after confirming that she has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in her left knee. The American skier said her bones have healed following nine months of recovery, allowing doctors to address the ACL injury, but the latest setback is expected to keep her out for a further six to nine months.
“I’ve been waiting all these nine months so my bones could heal and we could fix the ACL and my bones healed which is great news. “But obviously now I have the ACL and that means another six to nine months.”
Vonn sustained the injury during the Olympic downhill in Cortina. She crashed after striking a gate just 13 seconds into her run, nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee. The incident added to a long history of serious leg injuries for one of alpine skiing’s most accomplished competitors.
Vonn’s Olympic career and return to competition
The 2010 Olympic downhill champion previously revealed that her operations had prevented the need for her leg to be amputated. Vonn retired from competitive skiing in 2019 after suffering numerous leg injuries, closing a career that established her as one of the greatest alpine skiers of all time.
Vonn made a surprise return to skiing in 2024 after undergoing a partial right knee replacement. Her comeback added another chapter to a career defined by major victories as well as repeated efforts to return from significant injuries.
Vonn has won 84 World Cup races, placing her second on the all-time women’s list. Her compatriot Mikaela Shiffrin holds the record ahead of her, leaving Vonn among the most successful female alpine skiers in World Cup history.
Why This Matters
Vonn’s latest injury highlights the physical demands and long-term risks involved in elite alpine skiing, particularly after previous operations and major knee damage. Her recovery timeline means the next stage of her career will depend on healing from the ACL injury after the bone-related complications that delayed treatment. The six-to-nine-month estimate provides the clearest indication so far of when Vonn could potentially resume skiing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What injury does Lindsey Vonn currently have?
Lindsey Vonn has an ACL injury in her left knee. She said her bones have healed after nine months, but she now expects another six to nine months of recovery.
When did Lindsey Vonn crash in Cortina?
Vonn crashed 13 seconds into the Olympic downhill in Cortina, nine days after rupturing ligaments in her left knee.
How many World Cup races has Lindsey Vonn won?
Lindsey Vonn has won 84 World Cup races, the second-highest total on the all-time women’s list behind Mikaela Shiffrin.
