Editor’s note: Lindsey Vonn shared an injury update on Feb. 17, detailing that she was in transit to a private plane to fly back to the United States for further treatment
Cookie Monster is sending Lindsey Vonn love and hope for a speedy recovery.
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In a post shared on social media on Monday, the Sesame Street icon called the five-time Olympian “one tough cookie” and said he was sending her love to the Olympic gold medalist as she continues goes through additional surgeries following her crash in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“You are one tough cookie, (Lindsey Vonn)! Me sending love, cookies, and this stylish and delicious hat! We are gonna look like twinsies,” Cookie Monster wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
REQUIRED READING: Lindsey Vonn says Olympic injury ‘more severe’ than broken leg
Vonn’s crash was the second in a matter of weeks for the decorated U.S. skier, who was making her comeback to the Winter Olympics stage after retiring from competition in 2019.
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In her latest update on Tuesday, Feb. 17, Vonn shared with followers that her injury from her crash during the women’s downhill event was “a lot more severe” than a broken leg injury. She also shared that she was returning to the United States after having several surgeries at a hospital in Treviso, Italy.
“My leg is still in pieces … but I’m finally HOME!” Vonn wrote on her post on Tuesday. “My injury was a lot more severe than just a broken leg. I’m still wrapping my head around it, what it means and the road ahead …. but I’m going to give you more detail in the coming days.”
What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Vonn hooked the fourth gate with her right arm, which sent her spinning and hurtling into the hard, packed snow. She tumbled end over end several times before coming to a stop.
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“Things just happen so quick in this sport,” U.S. teammate Bella Wright said after the race. “It looked like Lindsey had incredible speed out of that turn, and she hooked her arm and it’s just over just like that.”
What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?
In an Instagram post on Feb. 9, Vonn shared the devastating news that she suffered a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated fans on Feb. 11 after a third surgery in Italy and included some gruesome photos of her progress . On Feb. 14, Vonn posted after her third surgery that she still has more procedures ahead of her, but was finally able to return to the United States.
“Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury,” Vonn wrote.
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A tibia fracture is a break in the shin bone that is an emergency needing immediate treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “your tibias are some of the strongest bones in your body. It usually takes a lot of force to break one. You probably won’t be able to stand, walk or put weight on your leg if you have a broken shin bone.”
A complex fracture involves multiple breaks in a bone and damaged soft tissue, according Yale Medicine. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness and, sometimes, a bone that protrudes through the skin. Treatment involves stabilization and surgery.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cookie Monster sends Lindsey Vonn ‘love, cookies’ amid recovery
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