Lindsey Vonn Discusses Recovery from Olympic Downhill Crash and Inspiration from Law & Order: SVU
Lindsey Vonn is recovering from a tibia and ankle fracture sustained in a crash during her Olympic downhill run on February 8. She draws mental support from the television series Law & Order: SVU and its lead character Olivia Benson, portrayed by Mariska Hargitay. Vonn has expressed a desire for closure with her skiing career and teammates.
U.S. Mission Korea / Wikimedia (Public domain)Lindsey Vonn sustained a fracture to her tibia and ankle 13 seconds into her Olympic downhill run on February 8. The crash occurred in Cortina, Italy, during the event. She was transported by helicopter from the scene.
Two months after the incident, Vonn has progressed from using a wheelchair to crutches in her physical rehabilitation. Last week, she left her home in Park City, Utah, for the first time to visit Los Angeles, California. The change in environment provided a boost to her mental recovery.
Vonn watches episodes of Law & Order: SVU for mental relief during challenging rehabilitation days. The series debuted on September 20, 1999, with the pilot episode titled "Payback," introducing junior detective Olivia Benson. Benson, now portrayed as a captain, is the longest-running character on the longest-running American drama series.
Connection to the Series Vonn grew up watching the show in her household, as her parents are lawyers.
She guest-starred as an office assistant in a 2010 episode. Mariska Hargitay, who plays Benson, visited Vonn in the hospital in Treviso, Italy, following the crash and was present in Cortina on the day of the incident. Vonn texts Hargitay for encouragement, drawing strength from the character's resilience.
Story Timeline
4 events- Last week
Vonn left Park City home for first time to visit Los Angeles.
1 sourceCnn - Two months ago (April 2026)
Vonn progressed to crutches in rehabilitation from February 8 crash.
1 sourceCnn - February 8, 2026
Vonn crashed 13 seconds into Olympic downhill run, fracturing tibia and ankle.
1 sourceCnn - Nine days before February 8, 2026
Vonn tore her ACL but completed practice runs.
1 sourceCnn
Potential Impact
- 01
Absence of goodbye to teammates may affect emotional resolution in career.
- 02
Vonn's recovery progress may influence future decisions on skiing return for closure.
- 03
Visit to Los Angeles provided initial boost to mental recovery.
- 04
Mental support from television series could aid ongoing rehabilitation efforts.
Transparency Panel
Related Stories
Sebastian Ballard / Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 2.0)Hospital Admissions for Spider Bites Increase in England Over Past Decade
NHS figures show hospital admissions linked to spider bites in England rose from 47 in 2015 to 100 in 2025. Experts attribute the trend to the growing population of noble false widow spiders. The spiders are not aggressive and have not caused serious illness or death, though bite…
The New York TimesAnnie Judis, 82, Maintains Title as World's Oldest Competitive Jump Roper in Beverly Hills
Annie Judis, an 82-year-old resident of Beverly Hills, California, continues to compete as the world's oldest jump rope athlete. She defends her title through regular performances and shares her activities on social media. Her involvement provides her with a sense of purpose.
Ministry of Information Photo Division Photographer, Smith Jack / Wikimedia (Public domain)Woman Launches Support Network for Mid-Life Women's Wellbeing in UK
Lisa de-Laune, who completed a challenge of trying 50 new experiences before age 50, has established the Women In Wellness network in North Somerset. The group provides monthly meetings for women in the wellness industry and those focused on personal wellbeing, addressing issues…