US skiing star Lindsey Vonn said she sustained a “complex tibia fracture” in her crash during the Winter Olympics downhill event and expects to undergo “multiple surgeries” as she recovers. The 41-year-old issued her first statement on Monday, a day after her comeback bid ended abruptly on the course in Cortina d'Ampezzo.

Vonn, who crashed just seconds into her run after striking a gate, said that despite the severe pain and the disappointment of seeing her Olympic hopes cut short, “While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets.”

Crash just 13 seconds into run

The crash occurred only 13 seconds after Vonn left the start gate, when her right arm became hooked on a pole, twisting her off balance. She insisted the ruptured ACL she sustained in a World Cup crash before the Games “had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.”

“I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash,” she wrote on social media from her hospital bed in Treviso, where she is receiving treatment.

Her skis did not detach during the fall, causing her to slide violently down the piste before coming to a stop. “I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly,” she added.

Olympic hopes shattered

Vonn described the abrupt end to her long-awaited Olympic return as heartbreaking. “My Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn't a story book ending or a fairy tale, it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it.”

She highlighted the fine margins in downhill racing, noting: “Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as 5 inches.”

Vonn offered no indication of whether she intends to retire. Italian media reported she has already undergone two procedures to stabilise her left leg fracture.

The former Olympic downhill champion, who won gold in Vancouver in 2010, retired in 2019 but resumed competition in late 2024. She entered these Games as a strong contender, having secured seven World Cup podiums - including two victories – before her ACL injury in Crans-Montana.

Gu’s golden treble ends, Swiss duo triumph

On Monday, Chinese freestyle skier Eileen Gu saw her pursuit of a historic triple-gold Olympics falter. The 22-year-old, who was aiming to win slopestyle, half-pipe and big air, finished second behind Mathilde Gremaud. The Swiss athlete, who also won in 2022, posted a score of 86.96 to take the title.

Gu, who juggles sport, modelling and studies at Stanford University, will now focus on her remaining two events.

Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen added another gold to his tally, partnering with teammate Tanguy Nef to win the team combined event in Bormio. Von Allmen had claimed the men’s downhill title the previous day.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the United States’ other marquee skier, will debut at these Olympics in the women’s team combined event, racing alongside downhill champion Breezy Johnson. The pair enter as strong favourites.

In snowboarding, Japan’s Kokomo Murase captured gold in the women’s big air, ending Anna Gasser’s reign as two-time Olympic champion.

Chloe Kim calls for unity after Trump criticism of teammate

American snowboarder Chloe Kim urged “love and compassion” after U.S. President Donald Trump attacked teammate Hunter Hess, who said he had mixed emotions about representing the U.S. amid tensions over immigration raids. Trump labelled Hess a “real loser,” prompting Kim to respond: “I think in moments like these it is really important for us to unite and kind of stand up for one another… I’m really proud to represent the United States.”

Future uncertain for Vonn

Former downhill great Luc Alphand told AFP that Vonn’s injuries may have been worsened because her skis did not release during the crash. Lower speeds on the course, he said, may have prevented the bindings from disengaging fully.

“They were going at 80-90kph, which is not very fast,” Alphand said. “Because there isn't enough speed, the skis don't release completely… and that causes damage.”

With the World Cup season ending in under two months, Vonn faces a decision about whether to continue a career spanning decades – one that has made her one of the most recognisable athletes in global sport.

Vonn reflected on that uncertainty herself, writing: “Similar to ski racing, we take risks in life. We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall. Sometimes our hearts are broken.”

(AFP)