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Lindsey Vonn<\/strong><\/a> is heading home after having four surgeries in Italy following her ski accident during the 2026 Winter Olympics<\/em>.<\/p>\n The 41-year-old Olympic athlete suffered a complex tibia fracture<\/a> in a horrific crash during her Women\u2019s Downhill event<\/a> last Sunday (February 8). <\/p>\n While in the Italian hospital, Lindsey<\/strong> has been sharing updates on her multiple surgeries, and now after the fourth, she can finally head back home to the US to continue care. <\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSurgery went well today! Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the US \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8! Once I\u2019m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury\u2026. But until then, as I sit here in my bed reflecting, I have a few thoughts I\u2019d like to share,\u201d she shared <\/a>on Saturday (February 14), nearly a week after her accident.<\/p>\n \u201cI have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don\u2019t be sad,\u201d she added. \u201cEmpathy, love and support I welcome with an open heart, but please not sadness or sympathy. I hope instead it gives you strength to keep fighting, because that is what I am doing and that is what I will continue to do. Always.\u201d <\/p>\n Lindsey<\/strong> also took a moment to recall her crash. <\/p>\n \u201cWhen I think back on my crash, I didn\u2019t stand in the starting gate unaware of the potential consequences. I knew what I was doing. I chose to take a risk. Every skier in that starting gate took the same risk. Because even if you are the strongest person in the world, the mountain always holds the cards,\u201d she wrote. <\/p>\n \u201cI was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing. I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather than not ski to my potential and have regret. I never want to cross finish line and say,\u201cwhat if?\u201d And to be perfectly honest, I was stronger physically in that moment than I have been often in the past. Certainly stronger than I was when I ended career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships. And mentally\u2026. Mentally I was perfect. Clear, focused, hungry, aggressive yet completely calm\u2026 just as I had practiced over the past few months when I was on the podium in every downhill this season. 2 wins and leading the standings\u2026 that was all a test to prepare me for the Olympics. Mentally, I was more ready than I have ever been.\u201d<\/p>\n Lindsey<\/strong> concluded, \u201cBut just because I was ready, that didn\u2019t guarantee me anything. Nothing in life is guaranteed. That\u2019s the gamble of chasing your dreams, you might fall but if you don\u2019t try you\u2019ll never know.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo please, don\u2019t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don\u2019t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will. \ud83d\udcaa\ud83c\udffb\u2764\ufe0f,\u201d she added. <\/p>\n While she didn\u2019t place in the Olympics this year, she does hold three medals from past Olympics, including a gold in the downhill. <\/p>\n After her crash, Lindsey<\/strong>\u2018s dad told press<\/a> that \u201cthere will be no more ski races\u201d for her.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n