Lindsey Vonn shared a video clip on March 13, 2026, of her riding a stationary bike while recovering from five surgeries on her left leg. Five weeks after an Olympic accident nearly resulted in the amputation of her left leg, Lindsey Vonn’s rehabilitation took a turn toward stationary cycling.
Vonn, 41, has had five surgeries since suffering a compound left tibia fracture in the women’s downhill event at the Milan Cortina Olympics on February 8 after crashing the gate and going 13 seconds off the course. After being hospitalized in Italy and undergoing four surgeries over nearly two weeks, Vaughan returned to the United States and underwent a fifth surgery.
She posted earlier this month that she had finally returned home and faced a “difficult and painful journey” ahead.
That journey evolved into a stationary bike ride, which Vonn posted a short video of on social media on Friday.
“Guys… I ride a bike!! Starting from 5 minutes… improving one day at a time.”
Vonn previously said the damage to his leg was so severe that he could have had it amputated if Team USA orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tom Hackett had not quickly treated compartment syndrome from the accident by performing a fasciotomy.
In compartment syndrome, excessive pressure builds up inside the muscle due to bleeding or swelling, which can restrict blood flow and cause permanent injury if not treated quickly.
Friday marked Vonn’s first social media update since March 8, when she shared a video of herself transferring from a wheelchair to a scooter at home.
Vonn, who retired with a partially reconstructed right knee, was considered an Olympic medal contender before her final World Cup match a week ago. She tore her left ACL on the downhill but said she could still compete in the Olympics.
Vonn was seeking her second gold medal in the downhill after winning in Vancouver in 2010. She also has two bronze medals. She has 84 World Cup victories, including two this season.
In a lengthy social media post on March 6, Vonn said he had no regrets about returning to downhill.
“At the beginning of the season, no one believed I would come close to this position, and people would have laughed if it was even suggested, but winning the title was my goal… and I came agonizingly close to achieving it,” she wrote.
“I’m not one to talk about my accomplishments, but I think in this case more than anything else I need to remind myself…
“I was on the podium in every downhill race, including two wins. After six years of retirement with a partial knee replacement, I was back ranked number one in the world and that alone was an incredible achievement that I will never forget. Even though no one will remember in a few days that I almost won the season title, I will. I didn’t want to win the title to prove anything to anyone. I did it because I knew I could do it. I wish I had had the chance to fight until the end and get it…
“But I have to sit here and reflect and wonder: Why does the title mean so much to me? Why am I crying over the crystal trophy?”
“Skiing has always been my favorite thing in the world. It’s always brought me incredible joy, especially this season. But what I’ve realized is that not winning one more title doesn’t make this season any less special. It doesn’t take away the joy of standing in the starting gate or crossing the finish line and seeing first place next to my name. It doesn’t take away the amazing times I had with my team and teammates. Singing and dancing with the fans and kids on the field. Those memories don’t get washed away by a title. Tears mean it always has been, so skiing is my passion and I don’t know yet if I’ll ever do it again, but at least for me it’s an honor to have this adventure.
“Wherever this road takes me, I will find my way. I always do. Skiing is what I love to do, but it is not who I am. I have so many reasons to be happy. I have so much to be thankful for.
“Thank you to everyone who came on this trip with me.”
–Field level media
