Lindsey Vonn underwent her third surgery.

At the bedside: Vonn marvels at Brignone

Federica Brignone's incredible gold medal has astonished the ski world. Lindsey Vonn was also impressed.

February 12, 2026

From: det

The Olympic Games write their own stories. Lindsey Vonn's story is a sad one, having crashed so violently in Sunday's downhill that she broke her leg – and has now had to undergo her third operation.

In contrast, Federica Brignone's story is like something out of a fairy tale. 316 days after her brutal injury (complex leg fracture and torn cruciate ligament), she has recovered. Italian woman sensationally wins the gold medal in the Super-G.

Federica Brignone won gold. © APA / HANS KLAUS TECHT

This incredible performance has now also amazed Lindsey Vonn. Immediately after the race, the American posted an Instagram story in which she commented on Brignone's gold medal. "What a comeback," Vonn wrote, adding pictures showing Brignone on crutches, then at her World Cup return, and finally with the gold medal around her neck.

Lindsey Vonn's Instagram story.

When Vonn suffered a serious crash on Sunday, it was immediately clear that Brignone was affected. In the mixed zone, when asked what Vonn's crash had triggered in her, she replied bluntly: "I don't want to talk about that." Vonn has since undergone her third surgery and remains in the hospital.