Lindsey Vonn still harbors hopes of returning to the slopes even after her latest horrific injury (Image: INSTAGRAM @lindseyvonn)

Lindsey Vonn claimed she looks forward to when she can ‘stand on the top of the mountain’ as she looks to recover from her horrific injury.

Vonn, the 2010 Olympic downhill champion, was set to be one of the stories of the Milan-Cortina Games. She had made her comeback, and after a crash in a World Cup race the week before, suffered a torn ACL.

Yet the bold American competed regardless despite interesting comments by her coach — but her Olympic journey ended in horror. Just 13 seconds into her run, Vonn struck a gate and crashed out, suffering a broken leg that will require multiple surgeries.

Following immediate treatment, she was transported to the hospital for further medical attention. It was later disclosed that Vonn had suffered a “complex tibia fracture,” leading to three subsequent surgeries.

On Saturday, in a hospital in Italy, the 41-year-old had a fourth procedure on her broken leg. In an emotional post on social media, Vonn insisted she had no regrets about competing in the event before remarkably vowing to ski again in the future — although she surely meant recreationally rather than competitively.

Vonn crashed just 13 seconds into her downhill run (Image: GETTY)

“Please, don’t feel sad. The ride was worth the fall. When I close my eyes at night I don’t have regrets and the love I have for skiing remains,” Vonn wrote. “I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will.”

Vonn also revealed that her fourth procedure on her leg had been a success, saying: “Surgery went well today! Thankfully, I will be able to finally go back to the U.S.!

“Once I’m back, I will give you more updates and info about my injury…. But until then, as I sit here in my bed reflecting, I have a few thoughts I’d like to share…”

Vonn then added that she didn’t want people pitying her after suffering such a horrifying leg break. She said: “I have been reading a lot of messages and comments saying that what has happened to me makes them sad. Please, don’t be sad. Empathy, 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.

“When I think back on my crash, I didn’t 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.”

Source: https://www.the-express.com/sport/other-sport/199207/lindsey-vonn-winter-olympics-injury-surgery-ski