Three days after her horrific crash, the doctor who rushed to Lindsey Vonn’s side is speaking out.
Dr. Thomas Spallinger, an anesthesiologist from Arzignano, Italy, told El Mundo that he, along with a Carabinieri officer on duty, reached Vonn on skis and assessed her immediately after the incident.
“Given the nature of her injury, we decided to arrange for her to be transferred to the hospital by rescue helicopter,” he said
According to Spallinger, Vonn, 41, was “in a lot of pain at the time,” so he “rushed to begin treatment on site and stabilized her.”
“Her physical therapist also intervened and helped us calm her until the helicopter arrived,” he told the outlet, adding that “everything went smoothly, thanks to the excellent coordination and preparation of the medical staff, rescuers and the organization.”
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Lindsey Vonn crashes during the Women’s Downhill on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre on Feb. 8, 2026.Screengrab by IOC via Getty
On Sunday, Feb. 8, the Olympic skier crashed just a few seconds into her run in the women’s downhill event, flipping in the air several times before plunging into the snow. Moments later, she could be heard crying out in pain as Spallinger and others tended to her.
Vonn was ultimately placed on a stability board and airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.
In an Instagram post shared the following day, the gold medalist explained what caused her to crash, writing, “I was simply 5 inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me…”
She added that she “sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”
“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets,” Vonn continued. “Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget. Knowing I stood there having a chance to win was a victory in and of itself.”
She added, “I also knew that racing was a risk. It always was and always will be an incredibly dangerous sport. And similar to ski racing, we take risks in life. We dream. We love. We jump. And sometimes we fall.”
This came just a week after the skier “completely” ruptured her ACL, which caused many to wonder if she could still compete in the Olympics.
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Lindsey Vonn as she crashes at the Milan Olympics on Feb. 8, 2026.Screengrab by IOC via Getty
Vonn later revealed on Wednesday, Feb. 11, that she had undergone her third surgery, which “was successful.”
“Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok,” she said.
“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. ❤️🤍💙,” the decorated skier added.
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Alan Kidlow, Vonn’s father, thinks Vonn’s crash will be her last time on the slopes.
“She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career,” he told The Associated Press on Monday, Feb. 9. “There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”
