Lindsey Vonn recently revealed her struggles to maintain mental health following her downhill crash. The veteran alpine skier is currently recovering in the United States after the accident she suffered at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in 2026.
The 41-year-old former Olympic champion sustained a serious injury to her left knee, including a complex tibia fracture. She underwent surgery at a local hospital in Treviso, Italy, before being airlifted to the United States for further recovery.
Lindsey Vonn Talks About Uphill Battle With Mental Health After Downhill Crash
Vonn uploaded a reel of herself cuddling with her pet Leo as she described her uphill battle with mental health during recovery. She wrote in the caption:
“Reunited with Chance….Had a pretty hard day yesterday, everything just really hit me hard and I broke down. I know there will be a lot of days like this… the internal mental battle has just begun but moments like this help me so much. Just miss my boy Leo…One day at a time.”
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Vonn had previously shared an update about her mental health struggles in a post on her X account. The former Olympic champion wrote:
“Today was a hard day… my physical battle began the second I got hurt but the mental battle started today. It hit me like a ton of bricks. It’s a battle I’m used to because I’ve done it so many times.”
READ MORE : Lindsey Vonn Shares Vulnerable Update on the ‘Dark’ Mental Toll of Her 2026 Winter Olympics Recovery
Vonn made a remarkable comeback at age 40 in November 2024, announcing her decision to compete at the Winter Olympics one final time. She had participated in the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2019 World Championships, securing podium finishes in both before announcing her retirement. However, after undergoing knee implant surgery in 2024, the multiple World Cup champion decided to pursue Olympic glory again.
The 41-year-old surprised many by finishing second at the FIS World Cup meet in Sun Valley, Idaho, in March 2025. She further cemented her place by winning the World Cup meet in St. Moritz, Switzerland, in December 2025, becoming the oldest female skier to do so.
Vonn qualified for her fifth Winter Olympics overall, until the downhill crash derailed her plans for a golden comeback. Despite the setback, she continues to lead the downhill standings in the FIS World Cup. Unless surpassed in the final leg of the season, the 41-year-old will secure a downhill title from the FIS World Cup as well.
