Lindsey Vonns doctor relives horror scene of 2026…
U.S. snowboarding star Lindsey Vonn had to be calmed down by first responders after she suffered a advanced tibia fracture in a major crash that ended her Winter Olympics on Sunday, according to Dr. Thomas Spallinger, who reached Vonn on skis with a member of Italy’s national navy police drive.
“I intervened with the Carabinieri officer who was on duty with me at the start of the races, and we reached her on skis,” Spallinger told Spanish newspaper, El Mundo. “We assessed her and, given the character of her injury, we determined to organize for her to be transferred to the hospital by rescue helicopter.
“She was in a lot of pain at the time, so I rushed to begin treatment on site and stabilized her. Her physical therapist also intervened and helped us calm her until the helicopter arrived. Everything went smoothly, thanks to the excellent coordination and preparation of the medical staff, rescuers and the organization.”
United States’ Lindsey Vonn lays on the course after crashing during an alpine ski ladies’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, February 8, 2026. AP
Spallinger, who is a younger anesthesiologist dwelling in Northern Italy, is working his first Olympics.
Vonn, who ruptured her ACL a few weeks in the past, fractured her leg just 13.4 seconds into the ultimate of the ladies’s downhill along the Cortina d’Ampezzo run on Sunday.
She was airlifted by helicopter off the course.
Lindsey Vonn is ready for evacuation after crashing during an alpine ski ladies’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, Sunday, February 8, 2026. AP
Lindsey Vonn is airlifted away after a crash during an alpine ski ladies’s downhill race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, February 8, 2026. AP
The next day, the 41-year-old Vonn revealed she suffered a advanced tibia fracture that will require a number of surgical procedures to repair.
“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 in an Instagram post.
“My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.”
Lindsey Vonn after her third surgical procedure to repair a advanced tibia fracture she suffered in a major crash that ended her Winter Olympics on Sunday, February 8, 2026. Instagram/Lindsey Vonn
She added that she knew that racing was a risk, but she has no regrets.
Vonn shared that she had her third surgical procedure on Wednesday, and that it was success.
“Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago,” she wrote, including a photograph of her laying in a hospital mattress with a steel splint on her leg. “I’m making progress and while it’s slow, I do know I’ll be okay.
“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world. Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for”
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