Lindsey Vonn breaks silence after Winter Olympics crash as she’s ‘moved to intensive care’

Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after a high-speed crash during the Women’s Downhill at the Winter Olympics, and the American skier has now broken her silence on social media

Lindsey Vonn has broken her silence on social media following her devastating high-speed crash at the Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old was representing Team USA despite having a ruptured ACL in her left knee suffered just days before the Games began.

She lost her balance after hitting a gate and tumbled at tremendous speed, with the incident broadcast live across the globe. Vonn was heard crying out in pain and was flown by helicopter to hospital for surgery.

She underwent a further medical procedure on Monday morning to address the femur fracture in her left leg using external fixation. It’s reported that she has now been moved to intensive care for her privacy. Vonn has now spoken out by posting on X (formerly Twitter) for the first time since the harrowing crash.

READ MORE: Lindsey Vonn told where Winter Olympics horror injury responsibility lies by IOC bossREAD MORE: Lindsey Vonn snubbed F1 offer before horror Winter Olympics crash

She responded to a post from television presenter Dan Walker, who wrote: “This is what sport looks like when you strip away the polish. It’s not comfortable… it’s painful. Risk instead of safety.

“Vonn knew she might not win. She knew it might hurt. She understood the risk. She embraced it because not going down that mountain would mean surrendering to the things that stop you getting out of bed in the morning.

“Great sporting moments don’t always finish on a podium. They are acts of courage. They are athletes standing on the start line, knowing it could be the last time, knowing it might go wrong… and launching themselves anyway.

“That is the essence of sport. Not the medal. The moment before the gate opens and there is a chance that dream might become reality. I hope her body heals quickly and she knows she will always be a winner.”

Vonn replied with just three words, posting: “Thank you Dan,” alongside a praying hands emoji. She has yet to discuss her accident in depth, and it remains unclear whether she will return to competitive skiing after her recovery.

Roberto Cit, the helicopter pilot who responded to the crash, said the weather conditions were ideal for the operation and deemed it successful.

“Today’s conditions were optimal and we worked very well together as a team,” he stated. “We stayed composed and carried out the operation as well as possible. I believe the result was good.”

Vonn’s choice to compete in the Winter Olympics came as a shock, particularly as she had torn her ACL just days before heading to Italy for the Games.

Her sister, Karin Kildow, confirmed she was aware of all the risks beforehand whilst also assuring supporters that she was receiving the highest standard of medical treatment.

JOIN US ON FACEBOOK! All the best sports news and much more on our dedicated Facebook page

Kildow said: “I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay.

“It was scary because when you start to see the stretchers being put out, it’s not a good sign. But she really… she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay.

“She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”