Decorated US skier Lindsey Vonn is still working through what comes next.
Months after her devastating crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Vonn said she's not ready — physically or emotionally — to decide whether or not she'll compete again.
"I just don't want to jump to any conclusions or even speculate on what I might do," Vonn told the Associated Press. "I may retire, I may never race again, and that would be completely fine, but I'm not in a position emotionally to make that decision at this point."
The crash came just 13 seconds into the women's downhill in Cortina, with Vonn suffering a complex tibia fracture and compartment syndrome. The injuries required eight surgeries, with at least one more procedure still needed to repair a torn ACL in her left knee.
While Vonn has returned from injuries before, the 41-year-old said this one stands out.
"It's a much different injury," she continued. "I could have lost my leg... I can deal with a lot of pain, but this was so extreme. It's not even been in the universe of pain with this injury as what I've had before.”
The recovery, she explained, has been as mental as it's been physical.
Transitioning from a wheelchair to crutches, Vonn said her timeline remains uncertain. She has not yet discussed a potential return to skiing with her doctors, instead focusing on day-to-day recovery.
"I'm still, like I said, in survival mode that I just want to get through this phase and be able to assess where I am in my life," she said.
And for now, that means holding off on any major decisions.
"I don't want to make a decision now, because I think that would be rash and probably too emotional," Vonn said. "I don't want to make a mistake."
