LIndsey Vonn, one of the most successful US skiers, came out of retirement to take part in 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina but a horrible crash during women's downhill event ended her journey. The three-time Olympic medallist has now revealed that the crash was so severe that her leg could have been amputated. Things, however, did not reach to the tipping point and the doctors were able to save her leg. Vonn is now out of hospital for the first time after her crach but still not home. Apart from the aputation scare, she also broke her ankle in the crash with all injuries 'going to take near an year to recover.'<h2>Vonn reveals gruesome details about Olympic crash</h2>In a social media post on Monday (Feb 23), Vonn, 41, revealed that she had suffered complex tibia fracture to her left leg and had to undergo multiple surgeries before being flown back home to the USA. Vonn also said that the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg.Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/benfica-winger-gianluca-prestianni-handed-provisional-ban-by-uefa-over-alleged-racism-incident-towards-real-madrid-s-vinicius-1771858990111">Benfica winger Prestianni handed provisional ban by UEFA over racism incident</a>According to Cleveland Clinic: "Compartment syndrome happens when there’s too much pressure around your muscles. The pressure restricts the flow of blood, fresh oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and nerves. Compartment syndrome is extremely painful."Vonn said, Dr Tom Hackett "filleted it (leg) open and let it breathe, and he saved me." Hackett works with Team USA and Vonn and, according to her, he was at the games to monitor the skier for her torn ACL which had happened ahead of the Winter Games.“If I hadn’t had done that, Tom wouldn’t have been there [and he] wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she said.<h2>Vonn offers further update on health status</h2>The 8-time World Championship medal winner also said that it might take her some time before she comes back home.“After almost 2 weeks of laying in a hospital bed almost completely immobile, I’m finally well enough to move to a hotel. It’s not home yet, but it’s a huge step!” she wrote.As for the timeline for full recovery, Vonn said: "It will take around a year for all of the bones to heal and then I will decide if I want to take out all the metal or not, and then go back into surgery and finally fix my ACL."

Vonn, 41, revealed that she had suffered complex tibia fracture to her left leg and had to undergo multiple surgeries before being flown back home to the USA. Vonn also said that the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg.

LIndsey Vonn, one of the most successful US skiers, came out of retirement to take part in 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina but a horrible crash during women's downhill event ended her journey. The three-time Olympic medallist has now revealed that the crash was so severe that her leg could have been amputated. Things, however, did not reach to the tipping point and the doctors were able to save her leg. Vonn is now out of hospital for the first time after her crach but still not home. Apart from the aputation scare, she also broke her ankle in the crash with all injuries 'going to take near an year to recover.' Vonn reveals gruesome details about Olympic crash In a social media post on Monday (Feb 23), Vonn, 41, revealed that she had suffered complex tibia fracture to her left leg and had to undergo multiple surgeries before being flown back home to the USA. Vonn also said that the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg. Also Read - Benfica winger Prestianni handed provisional ban by UEFA over racism incident According to Cleveland Clinic: "Compartment syndrome happens when there’s too much pressure around your muscles. The pressure restricts the flow of blood, fresh oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and nerves. Compartment syndrome is extremely painful." Vonn said, Dr Tom Hackett "filleted it (leg) open and let it breathe, and he saved me." Hackett works with Team USA and Vonn and, according to her, he was at the games to monitor the skier for her torn ACL which had happened ahead of the Winter Games. “If I hadn’t had done that, Tom wouldn’t have been there [and he] wouldn’t have been able to save my leg,” she said. Vonn offers further update on health status The 8-time World Championship medal winner also said that it might take her some time before she comes back home. “After almost 2 weeks of laying in a hospital bed almost completely immobile, I’m finally well enough to move to a hotel. It’s not home yet, but it’s a huge step!” she wrote. As for the timeline for full recovery, Vonn said: "It will take around a year for all of the bones to heal and then I will decide if I want to take out all the metal or not, and then go back into surgery and finally fix my ACL."

Vonn, 41, revealed that she had suffered complex tibia fracture to her left leg and had to undergo multiple surgeries before being flown back home to the USA. Vonn also said that the crash led to compartment syndrome in her leg.

Winter Olympic 2026 | 'Filleted it open': Lindsey Vonn reveals how a torn ACL saved her leg from amputation after horrific crash

Lindsey Vonn's Olympic gold hopes ended abruptly after crashing just 13 seconds into the women's downhill race at Milano Cortina 2026, suffering a fractured left leg that required airlift to hospital and surgery.


Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Brutal Olympic Downhill Fall

A dramatic moment at the Winter Olympics 2026 as ski legend Lindsey Vonn crashes out of the women’s downhill and is airlifted off the mountain. Vonn’s medal hopes end abruptly as Johnson powers through to claim downhill gold.


Winter Olympics 2026: Lindsey Vonn Crashes Out Of Women's Downhill 

Lindsey Vonn’s extraordinary Olympic comeback came to a painful halt on Sunday (February 8) after the American ski legend crashed out of the women’s downhill, ending her hopes of an unlikely medal run. Racing under clear skies in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Vonn lost control just seconds into her descent. She was thrown off balance, twisted mid-air, and slammed hard into the snow, drawing audible cries of pain that echoed across the course.&nbsp;The mood at the finish area shifted instantly as spectators watched the fall unfold on the big screens. Medical teams rushed to her side, eventually securing the 41-year-old onto a stretcher before she was airlifted by helicopter to the hospital for further treatment. Despite the shock of Vonn’s exit, the race continued, with American teammate Breezy Johnson capturing gold in a thrilling finish. Johnson edged Germany’s Emma Aicher by just four hundredths of a second, while Italy’s Sofia Goggia delighted home fans by claiming bronze.&nbsp;Johnson later said her thoughts were firmly with Vonn. “I just hope she’s okay,” she said. “That looked really tough.”Watching from the course, Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow shared the heartbreak of the moment. “That’s the one thing we were hoping wouldn’t happen,” she said. Only weeks earlier, Vonn appeared poised to complete one of the most remarkable returns in Olympic history. Having retired in 2019, she re-entered elite competition last year following knee surgery that included a titanium implant to relieve chronic pain.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/-you-must-be-a-competitor-not-just-a-talker-klaus-bartonietz-explains-the-making-of-champions-1770565190685">'You must be a competitor, not just a talker': Klaus Bartonietz explains the making of champions</a>&nbsp;Her momentum stalled late in January when she crashed during a World Cup event in Crans-Montana. She later confirmed the accident had left her with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, but remained adamant she could still contend. “I know my odds changed after the crash,” Vonn admitted at the time. “But as long as there’s a chance, I’m going to take it.”&nbsp;She also pushed back publicly against critics who questioned whether she could compete at the Olympic level with such a serious injury. Elsewhere on the second full day of competition at the Milan-Cortina Games, Czech snowboarder Zuzana Maderova claimed gold in the women’s parallel giant slalom after defending champion Ester Ledecka was knocked out in the quarter-finals. Maderova went on to beat Austria’s Sabine Payer comfortably in the final.&nbsp;In cross-country skiing, Norway’s Johannes Klaebo continued his dominance by winning the skiathlon, securing the sixth Olympic gold medal of his career. Later on Sunday, attention turns to figure skating, where the United States enters the final day of the team event under pressure from Japan. American star Ilia Malinin returns to the ice in the free skate after being narrowly outperformed earlier by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama.

Lindsey Vonn’s bid for an emotional Olympic comeback ended in agony after she crashed out of the downhill and was airlifted to the hospital for treatment

Lindsey Vonn’s extraordinary Olympic comeback came to a painful halt on Sunday (February 8) after the American ski legend crashed out of the women’s downhill, ending her hopes of an unlikely medal run. Racing under clear skies in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Vonn lost control just seconds into her descent. She was thrown off balance, twisted mid-air, and slammed hard into the snow, drawing audible cries of pain that echoed across the course. The mood at the finish area shifted instantly as spectators watched the fall unfold on the big screens. Medical teams rushed to her side, eventually securing the 41-year-old onto a stretcher before she was airlifted by helicopter to the hospital for further treatment. Despite the shock of Vonn’s exit, the race continued, with American teammate Breezy Johnson capturing gold in a thrilling finish. Johnson edged Germany’s Emma Aicher by just four hundredths of a second, while Italy’s Sofia Goggia delighted home fans by claiming bronze. Johnson later said her thoughts were firmly with Vonn. “I just hope she’s okay,” she said. “That looked really tough.” Watching from the course, Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow shared the heartbreak of the moment. “That’s the one thing we were hoping wouldn’t happen,” she said. Only weeks earlier, Vonn appeared poised to complete one of the most remarkable returns in Olympic history. Having retired in 2019, she re-entered elite competition last year following knee surgery that included a titanium implant to relieve chronic pain. Also Read: 'You must be a competitor, not just a talker': Klaus Bartonietz explains the making of champions Her momentum stalled late in January when she crashed during a World Cup event in Crans-Montana. She later confirmed the accident had left her with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament, but remained adamant she could still contend. “I know my odds changed after the crash,” Vonn admitted at the time. “But as long as there’s a chance, I’m going to take it.” She also pushed back publicly against critics who questioned whether she could compete at the Olympic level with such a serious injury. Elsewhere on the second full day of competition at the Milan-Cortina Games, Czech snowboarder Zuzana Maderova claimed gold in the women’s parallel giant slalom after defending champion Ester Ledecka was knocked out in the quarter-finals. Maderova went on to beat Austria’s Sabine Payer comfortably in the final. In cross-country skiing, Norway’s Johannes Klaebo continued his dominance by winning the skiathlon, securing the sixth Olympic gold medal of his career. Later on Sunday, attention turns to figure skating, where the United States enters the final day of the team event under pressure from Japan. American star Ilia Malinin returns to the ice in the free skate after being narrowly outperformed earlier by Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama.

Lindsey Vonn’s bid for an emotional Olympic comeback ended in agony after she crashed out of the downhill and was airlifted to the hospital for treatment

Lindsey Vonn's Olympic comeback ends in heartbreak after downhill crash; airlifted to hospital

Lindsey Vonn officially has qualified for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The 41-year-old made the announcement with an Instagram post in collaboration with Team USA and the Stifel U.S. Ski Team accounts.


2026 Winter Olympics: Lindsey Vonn qualifies for 5th-career Winter Olympic Games

Lindsey Vonn, at 41 years old, has made history by becoming the oldest downhill World Cup winner, claiming victory in the 2025-26 season opener in St. Moritz. This marks her 83rd World Cup win and her first downhill triumph since 2018, breaking the previous record for the oldest winner in both men's and women's Alpine skiing. 


Vonn Becomes Oldest Downhill World Cup Winner 

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/paulo-dybala">Paulo Dybala</a>, the Argentine World Cup winner, has been announced as a Laureus Ambassador. The 31-year-old initiated his new role with a visit to a Laureus Sport for Good programme in Rome and will be in attendance at the 25th anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday.
Dybala won five Serie A titles with Juventus and the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. The Argentine star &ndash; who now plays for AS Roma &ndash; visited Calcio Insieme on Wednesday, a Rome-based project supported by the AS Roma Foundation, which uses football to help children with intellectual disabilities. More than 30 children and young adults were there to meet the new Laureus Ambassador.
The Argentine star after being announced as an Ambassador said, &ldquo;It is a huge honour to join Laureus as an Ambassador. I have been inspired to learn about the incredible work they do, and to see &lsquo;sport for good&rsquo; in action during my visit to Calcio Insieme was a great experience. The Laureus mission, to use sport as a vehicle for societal change, is inspiring and I am looking forward to attending a special 25th anniversary Laureus Awards in Madrid in the company of many sporting legends.&rdquo;
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/cricket-ipl-2025-variety-is-spice-of-life-says-pbks-skipper-shreyas-iyer-after-huge-win-over-rcb-8977777">IPL 2025: 'Variety is spice of life', says PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer after huge win over RCB</a>
<div class="publive-dynamic-container dynamic-container"></div>
Joining Dybala at this year&rsquo;s Awards show will be a host of champions including Spanish sporting hero <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/rafael-nadal">Rafael Nadal</a>. Nadal brought his illustrious career to a close in 2024 after 22 Grand Slams (including 14 French Open titles) two Olympic gold medals and 81 consecutive matches unbeaten on clay. Nadal has also completed a &lsquo;Laureus Slam&rsquo; as the only athlete to win Breakthrough of the Year, Comeback of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.
<h2>'Huge thrill to host Awards once again'</h2>
This year&rsquo;s event will be hosted by ski legend <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lindsey-vonn">Lindsey Vonn</a>, who won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2011 and picked up the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award eight years later. Vonn &ndash; who hosted the virtual Awards in Seville in 2022 &ndash; launched a daring comeback in December at the age of 40 and secured her first World Cup podium finish in Idaho last month. &nbsp; Vonn, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the 69 sporting legends whose votes determine the winners of the Awards said: &ldquo;It is a huge thrill to host the Awards once again. I enjoyed the experience virtually three years ago in Seville, but this time it will be even more special with everyone actually in attendance. I&rsquo;ve been on both sides of the coin, thankfully I know what it&rsquo;s like to win a Laureus award, and I also know what it&rsquo;s like to vote. Having this perspective makes me appreciate how special Laureus is even more. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Madrid! Vamos!&rdquo; &nbsp; Joining nominees, Laureus Ambassadors and academy members will be sports fans from fashion, film and entertainment. Those attending include: Athletics: Mondo Duplantis, Nawal El Moutawakel, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tegla Loroupe, Edwin Moses, Letsile Tebogo Basketball: Rudy Fern&aacute;ndez Cricket: Steve Waugh Cycling: Mark Cavendish, Chris Hoy​​ &nbsp; Football: Thiago Alcantara, Kosovare Asllani, Cafu, Fabio Capello, Fernando Carro, Iker Casillas, Paulo Dybala, Luis de la Fuente, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit, Robin Le Normand, Rafael Louz&aacute;n Gymnastics: Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, Nadia Comăneci, Li Xiaopeng​ Hockey: Luciana Aymar​ &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Kayaking: Sa&uacute;l Craviotto Motor Racing: Zak Brown, Emerson Fittipaldi,​ &nbsp; Para archery: Matt Stutzman Para badminton: Qu Zi Mo Para fencing: Bebe Vio Para swimming: Daniel Dias, Teresa Perales, Jiang Yuyan Rowing: Steve Redgrave &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Rugby: Sean Fitzpatrick (Laureus Academy Chairman), Bryan Habana, Hugo Porta Skiing: Lara Gut-Behrami, Eileen Gu, Maria Hőfl-Riesch, Lindsey Vonn Squash: Nicol David​ &nbsp; Surfing: Kelly Slater Swimming: Ariarne Titmus​ &nbsp; Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, Mansour Bahrami, Boris Becker, Belinda Bencic, Novak Djokovic, Garbi&ntilde;e Muguruza, Rafael Nadal, Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Donna Vekić Windsurfing: Robby Naish

Sports: This year’s event will be hosted by Lindsey Vonn, who won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2011 and Laureus Spirit of Sport Award in 2019

Paulo Dybala, the Argentine World Cup winner, has been announced as a Laureus Ambassador. The 31-year-old initiated his new role with a visit to a Laureus Sport for Good programme in Rome and will be in attendance at the 25th anniversary Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday. Dybala won five Serie A titles with Juventus and the World Cup with Argentina in 2022. The Argentine star – who now plays for AS Roma – visited Calcio Insieme on Wednesday, a Rome-based project supported by the AS Roma Foundation, which uses football to help children with intellectual disabilities. More than 30 children and young adults were there to meet the new Laureus Ambassador. The Argentine star after being announced as an Ambassador said, “It is a huge honour to join Laureus as an Ambassador. I have been inspired to learn about the incredible work they do, and to see ‘sport for good’ in action during my visit to Calcio Insieme was a great experience. The Laureus mission, to use sport as a vehicle for societal change, is inspiring and I am looking forward to attending a special 25th anniversary Laureus Awards in Madrid in the company of many sporting legends.” Also Read: IPL 2025: 'Variety is spice of life', says PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer after huge win over RCB Joining Dybala at this year’s Awards show will be a host of champions including Spanish sporting hero Rafael Nadal. Nadal brought his illustrious career to a close in 2024 after 22 Grand Slams (including 14 French Open titles) two Olympic gold medals and 81 consecutive matches unbeaten on clay. Nadal has also completed a ‘Laureus Slam’ as the only athlete to win Breakthrough of the Year, Comeback of the Year, Sportsman of the Year and the Laureus Sport for Good Award. 'Huge thrill to host Awards once again' This year’s event will be hosted by ski legend Lindsey Vonn, who won the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award in 2011 and picked up the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award eight years later. Vonn – who hosted the virtual Awards in Seville in 2022 – launched a daring comeback in December at the age of 40 and secured her first World Cup podium finish in Idaho last month. Vonn, a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, the 69 sporting legends whose votes determine the winners of the Awards said: “It is a huge thrill to host the Awards once again. I enjoyed the experience virtually three years ago in Seville, but this time it will be even more special with everyone actually in attendance. I’ve been on both sides of the coin, thankfully I know what it’s like to win a Laureus award, and I also know what it’s like to vote. Having this perspective makes me appreciate how special Laureus is even more. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Madrid! Vamos!” Joining nominees, Laureus Ambassadors and academy members will be sports fans from fashion, film and entertainment. Those attending include: Athletics: Mondo Duplantis, Nawal El Moutawakel, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Tegla Loroupe, Edwin Moses, Letsile Tebogo Basketball: Rudy Fernández Cricket: Steve Waugh Cycling: Mark Cavendish, Chris Hoy Football: Thiago Alcantara, Kosovare Asllani, Cafu, Fabio Capello, Fernando Carro, Iker Casillas, Paulo Dybala, Luis de la Fuente, Luis Figo, Ruud Gullit, Robin Le Normand, Rafael Louzán Gymnastics: Rebeca Andrade, Simone Biles, Nadia Comăneci, Li Xiaopeng Hockey: Luciana Aymar Kayaking: Saúl Craviotto Motor Racing: Zak Brown, Emerson Fittipaldi, Para archery: Matt Stutzman Para badminton: Qu Zi Mo Para fencing: Bebe Vio Para swimming: Daniel Dias, Teresa Perales, Jiang Yuyan Rowing: Steve Redgrave Rugby: Sean Fitzpatrick (Laureus Academy Chairman), Bryan Habana, Hugo Porta Skiing: Lara Gut-Behrami, Eileen Gu, Maria Hőfl-Riesch, Lindsey Vonn Squash: Nicol David Surfing: Kelly Slater Swimming: Ariarne Titmus Tennis: Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa, Mansour Bahrami, Boris Becker, Belinda Bencic, Novak Djokovic, Garbiñe Muguruza, Rafael Nadal, Jasmine Paolini, Aryna Sabalenka, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Donna Vekić Windsurfing: Robby Naish

THIS Argentine WC winner is named as Laureus Ambassador ahead of 25th anniversary of Laureus World Sports Awards

Lindsey Vonn, the greatest women's skier of all-time, will be the host of the 2022 Laureus Awards Show in the picturesque Spanish city of Seville on Sunday, April 24, when the winners of this year's Laureus World Sports Awards are revealed.

First staged in 2000, the Laureus Awards celebrates the greatest achievements of individuals and teams across all sports.

The winners are chosen by the votes of the 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy: the greatest sportsmen and women of today being saluted by the most illustrious legends of the past.

Lindsey Vonn was honoured by the Laureus Academy in 2019 when she was presented with the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award to mark the end of her remarkable career.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/argentina-legend-diego-maradonas-hand-of-god-shirt-likely-to-fetch-523-million-at-auction-468875">Argentina legend Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' shirt likely to fetch $5.23 million at auction</a>

In 2021 she became a member of the Laureus Academy.

"When I received the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award on my retirement in 2019, I remember saying I was sad to be leaving my sport but I was looking forward to the next chapter of my life and doing something incredible. That's exactly how I feel now to be the host for the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards in the beautiful city of Seville. This is going to be an incredible night for myself and for all the winners of these very special awards," said Lindsey Vonn as per an official release.

"I know how emotional and uplifting it is to receive a Laureus Award and it's going to be so exciting to be part of the awards show in Seville. Although we can't host the nominees and winners in person this year, I have seen all the preparations for the virtual event. It's going to be a wonderful evening," she added.

In her career, Lindsey won four Overall World Cups - one of only three female skiers to do so - and a record eight World Cup Downhill titles.

In 2016, she won her 20th World Cup title, the overall record for men or women, surpassing Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden.

Her total of 82 World Cup race victories is a women's record. She was a winner in all five Alpine skiing disciplines.

She won the downhill gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2010, where she also won bronze in the super-g, which led to her receiving the 2011 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award.

Despite breaking her right arm three months before and also suffering a back injury, she won a bronze in the downhill at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/korea-open-pv-sindhu-kidambi-srikanth-march-into-second-round-with-easy-wins-468835">Korea Open 2022: PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth march into second round with easy wins</a>

The Laureus Awards, which reflects sporting achievement during 2021, is the premier honours event on the international sporting calendar. The winners, in a variety of different categories, will be revealed in a 'virtual'&nbsp;format as a result of continuing uncertainty over the COVID pandemic.

Among the nominees, selected by a panel of more than 1,200 of the leading sports journalists and broadcasters in the world, are Tom Brady, Robert Lewandowski, Max Verstappen, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Emma McKeon, Emma Raducanu, Pedri, Simone Biles, Sky Brown, Mark Cavendish, Tom Daley, Marc Marquez, Diede De Groot, Marcel Hug, Carissa Moore and Momiji Nishiya.

Among those shortlisted for the Laureus Team of the Year Award are three football teams: European Championship winners Italy, Copa America winners Argentina, including Lionel Messi, and the Barcelona Women`s team which won the Champions League.

Lindsey Vonn, the greatest women's skier of all-time, will be the host of the 2022 Laureus Awards Show in the picturesque Spanish city of Seville on Sunday, April 24, when the winners of this year's Laureus World Sports Awards are revealed.

Lindsey Vonn, the greatest women's skier of all-time, will be the host of the 2022 Laureus Awards Show in the picturesque Spanish city of Seville on Sunday, April 24, when the winners of this year's Laureus World Sports Awards are revealed. First staged in 2000, the Laureus Awards celebrates the greatest achievements of individuals and teams across all sports. The winners are chosen by the votes of the 71 members of the Laureus World Sports Academy: the greatest sportsmen and women of today being saluted by the most illustrious legends of the past. Lindsey Vonn was honoured by the Laureus Academy in 2019 when she was presented with the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award to mark the end of her remarkable career. ALSO READ: Argentina legend Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' shirt likely to fetch $5.23 million at auction In 2021 she became a member of the Laureus Academy. "When I received the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award on my retirement in 2019, I remember saying I was sad to be leaving my sport but I was looking forward to the next chapter of my life and doing something incredible. That's exactly how I feel now to be the host for the 2022 Laureus World Sports Awards in the beautiful city of Seville. This is going to be an incredible night for myself and for all the winners of these very special awards," said Lindsey Vonn as per an official release. "I know how emotional and uplifting it is to receive a Laureus Award and it's going to be so exciting to be part of the awards show in Seville. Although we can't host the nominees and winners in person this year, I have seen all the preparations for the virtual event. It's going to be a wonderful evening," she added. In her career, Lindsey won four Overall World Cups - one of only three female skiers to do so - and a record eight World Cup Downhill titles. In 2016, she won her 20th World Cup title, the overall record for men or women, surpassing Ingemar Stenmark of Sweden. Her total of 82 World Cup race victories is a women's record. She was a winner in all five Alpine skiing disciplines. She won the downhill gold medal at the Winter Olympics in 2010, where she also won bronze in the super-g, which led to her receiving the 2011 Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award. Despite breaking her right arm three months before and also suffering a back injury, she won a bronze in the downhill at the 2018 Winter Olympics. ALSO READ: Korea Open 2022: PV Sindhu, Kidambi Srikanth march into second round with easy wins The Laureus Awards, which reflects sporting achievement during 2021, is the premier honours event on the international sporting calendar. The winners, in a variety of different categories, will be revealed in a 'virtual' format as a result of continuing uncertainty over the COVID pandemic. Among the nominees, selected by a panel of more than 1,200 of the leading sports journalists and broadcasters in the world, are Tom Brady, Robert Lewandowski, Max Verstappen, Elaine Thompson-Herah, Emma McKeon, Emma Raducanu, Pedri, Simone Biles, Sky Brown, Mark Cavendish, Tom Daley, Marc Marquez, Diede De Groot, Marcel Hug, Carissa Moore and Momiji Nishiya. Among those shortlisted for the Laureus Team of the Year Award are three football teams: European Championship winners Italy, Copa America winners Argentina, including Lionel Messi, and the Barcelona Women`s team which won the Champions League.

Olympic great Lindsey Vonn to host Laureus Awards Show 2022 in Seville

Lindsey Vonn will head into retirement having overcome "serious anxiety" to bag one last medal, lauded by rivals as a supreme role model whose trail-blazing on-piste success guarantees her a place in the pantheon of alpine skiing greats.

The 34-year-old American, who admitted this season that her "body is broken beyond repair", claimed bronze in Sunday's world downhill behind Slovenian winner Ilka Stuhec and Swiss Corinne Suter.

The final race of the 2010 Olympic downhill champion's 19-season career was the "perfect ending", Vonn said, adding that she didn't think her absence from the sport would leave a void as big as the one felt in athletics by Usain Bolt's departure.

"I wanted more than anything to finish strong. I didn't want to end up like Tuesday, in the fence," said Vonn in reference to the super-G.

"It was an internal battle but in the end I won with my emotions, I stayed calm and was able to execute my plan ... and hang on for one last podium.

"Everyone knows my mentality at this point. I always risk everything all the time. That's the reason why I've been able to win so much but also the reason why I've crashed so much and had so many injuries."

During her career, Vonn has, among other accolades, claimed 82 World Cup victories, as well as four overall World Cup titles and 16 discipline globes -- a record.

She will hang up her catsuit, however, tantalisingly four short of Swedish icon Ingemar Stenmark's World Cup winning record of 86.

'Perfect ending'

Stenmark was present in Are, after being badgered by Vonn "via text, in all caps, many exclamation points!"

"He's a man of few words but he's calm, friendly and kind. It meant so much to me to have him in the finish," Vonn said of Stenmark.

"He's an icon and a legend in our sport. He doesn't like the spotlight, but he deserves to have it. I was just so grateful he was there, honestly it's the perfect ending to my career."

Vonn added that she had been inspired after watching Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal, a close friend and erstwhile training partner, win silver in his final race in Saturday's men's downhill.

"I was cheering on Aksel, because I know he wanted to finish strong, like me," she said.

"It was really inspiring to watch him get a medal in his final race and definitely inspired me to again push myself one more time to try to get on the podium.

"We both had our fairytale finish and I'm excited to celebrate our careers tonight!"

No retirement doubts

Vonn, who posed for posterity shot after the race with her dog Lucy and all the other racers, insisted she had no doubts about her retirement, saying: "I'm in a position where my body isn't allowing me to ski the way I know that I can.

"I don't know that I can win any more and that's why I'm retiring. My body isn't allowing me to do what I need to do to win races. That's the best I could have done today. There's not another gear."

Asked if she thought she'd leave a Bolt-sized void in the sport, Vonn replied: "I hope not, there are a lot of good characters out there."

She picked out Italian Sofia Goggia, and Austrian Marcel Hirscher, Norway's Kjetil Jansrud and Italian Dominik Paris on the men's side before also naming US teammate Mikaela Shiffrin.

Vonn had caused an overnight contretemps with Shiffrin, who had taken exception to her assertion she could have medalled in all five disciplines in Are.

But super-G champion Shiffrin, although absent from Are as she hones her technique for the slalom and giant slalom, was one of the first to congratulate Vonn.

"When you close out your career with a world champs medal... Big congrats to @lindseyvonn for a perfect final run," said Shiffrin, along with emojis of clapping hands and party poppers.

Vonn added: "There's a lot of people that have the potential to continue to grow the sport, but it's not just about success but doing everything you can to promote it and that's a part of your job as an athlete."

Turning to what lay ahead for her, the most successful female skier of all time was in no doubt: chilling at home with boyfriend P.K. Subban of the NHL's Nashville Predators, watching US crime series Law &amp; Order.

All done in the full knowledge that there would be no daily knee warm-up the following morning.

Lindsey Vonn will head into retirement having overcome "serious anxiety" to bag one last medal, lauded by rivals as a supreme role model whose trail-blazing on-piste success guarantees her a place in the pantheon of alpine skiing greats.

Lindsey Vonn will head into retirement having overcome "serious anxiety" to bag one last medal, lauded by rivals as a supreme role model whose trail-blazing on-piste success guarantees her a place in the pantheon of alpine skiing greats. The 34-year-old American, who admitted this season that her "body is broken beyond repair", claimed bronze in Sunday's world downhill behind Slovenian winner Ilka Stuhec and Swiss Corinne Suter. The final race of the 2010 Olympic downhill champion's 19-season career was the "perfect ending", Vonn said, adding that she didn't think her absence from the sport would leave a void as big as the one felt in athletics by Usain Bolt's departure. "I wanted more than anything to finish strong. I didn't want to end up like Tuesday, in the fence," said Vonn in reference to the super-G. "It was an internal battle but in the end I won with my emotions, I stayed calm and was able to execute my plan ... and hang on for one last podium. "Everyone knows my mentality at this point. I always risk everything all the time. That's the reason why I've been able to win so much but also the reason why I've crashed so much and had so many injuries." During her career, Vonn has, among other accolades, claimed 82 World Cup victories, as well as four overall World Cup titles and 16 discipline globes -- a record. She will hang up her catsuit, however, tantalisingly four short of Swedish icon Ingemar Stenmark's World Cup winning record of 86. 'Perfect ending' Stenmark was present in Are, after being badgered by Vonn "via text, in all caps, many exclamation points!" "He's a man of few words but he's calm, friendly and kind. It meant so much to me to have him in the finish," Vonn said of Stenmark. "He's an icon and a legend in our sport. He doesn't like the spotlight, but he deserves to have it. I was just so grateful he was there, honestly it's the perfect ending to my career." Vonn added that she had been inspired after watching Norwegian Aksel Lund Svindal, a close friend and erstwhile training partner, win silver in his final race in Saturday's men's downhill. "I was cheering on Aksel, because I know he wanted to finish strong, like me," she said. "It was really inspiring to watch him get a medal in his final race and definitely inspired me to again push myself one more time to try to get on the podium. "We both had our fairytale finish and I'm excited to celebrate our careers tonight!" No retirement doubts Vonn, who posed for posterity shot after the race with her dog Lucy and all the other racers, insisted she had no doubts about her retirement, saying: "I'm in a position where my body isn't allowing me to ski the way I know that I can. "I don't know that I can win any more and that's why I'm retiring. My body isn't allowing me to do what I need to do to win races. That's the best I could have done today. There's not another gear." Asked if she thought she'd leave a Bolt-sized void in the sport, Vonn replied: "I hope not, there are a lot of good characters out there." She picked out Italian Sofia Goggia, and Austrian Marcel Hirscher, Norway's Kjetil Jansrud and Italian Dominik Paris on the men's side before also naming US teammate Mikaela Shiffrin. Vonn had caused an overnight contretemps with Shiffrin, who had taken exception to her assertion she could have medalled in all five disciplines in Are. But super-G champion Shiffrin, although absent from Are as she hones her technique for the slalom and giant slalom, was one of the first to congratulate Vonn. "When you close out your career with a world champs medal... Big congrats to @lindseyvonn for a perfect final run," said Shiffrin, along with emojis of clapping hands and party poppers. Vonn added: "There's a lot of people that have the potential to continue to grow the sport, but it's not just about success but doing everything you can to promote it and that's a part of your job as an athlete." Turning to what lay ahead for her, the most successful female skier of all time was in no doubt: chilling at home with boyfriend P.K. Subban of the NHL's Nashville Predators, watching US crime series Law & Order. All done in the full knowledge that there would be no daily knee warm-up the following morning.

Lindsey Vonn skis into sunset, leaving massive void for alpine skiing

lindsey-vonn

Lindsey Vonn, News on Lindsey Vonn, stories on Lindsey Vonn, articles on Lindsey Vonn, Lindsey Vonn stories at Wion, Lindsey Vonn news, Lindsey Vonn latest news

lindsey vonn