Lindsey Vonn, the American skiing legend, faced a significant setback during the women's downhill event at the 2026 Winter Olympics when she suffered a severe leg fracture. The incident occurred just 13 seconds into her run, leading to immediate medical attention, which included her being airlifted from Cortina d’Ampezza to Ca’ Foncello Hospital in Treviso. Vonn, who is 41 years old, attempted to secure a medal but her race ended abruptly due to the fall.

After arriving at the hospital, a team of Italian orthopedic and plastic surgeons performed two surgical procedures aimed at stabilizing her fractured left leg and preventing potential complications. Although Vonn's personal physician was present, he only assisted the surgical team. The hospital confirmed that the surgery was necessary for the stabilization of the fracture, but they did not provide detailed information regarding the second operation, raising questions among fans and media about the extent of Vonn's injuries.

The selection of Treviso as the treatment location was made by the American team, highlighting the availability of neurosurgical services, despite it being a further distance from Cortina compared to other hospitals that were considered. This incident marks another challenge in Vonn's illustrious career, as she has faced multiple injuries and surgeries in her journey as a top athlete. Fans and fellow competitors will be closely monitoring her recovery and future plans following this unfortunate event.