Lindsey Vonn Surgery: Skier Will Go Under The Knife Next Week

Lindsey Vonn will have surgery next week to repair two torn ligaments in her right knee. Vonn tore her ACL and MLC and broke a bone in her lower leg during a crash at the World Championships in Schladming, Austria.

Following her accident, Vonn said that she planned to rehab her knee in time for the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. In a statement following her injury, Vonn revealed:

‘‘I am grateful to my fans for the outpouring of support, which has really helped me stay positive. I will work as hard as humanly possible to be ready to represent my country next year in Sochi.”

Vonn will fly home to Vail, Colorado from Austria, at which time she will undergo surgery.

US skiing team physician William Sterett tells the Associated Press:

‘‘She’ll be heading back to Vail [Colo.] and I’ll be doing surgery on her knee early next week. Lindsey is doing well. She’s in good spirits.”

The combination of ACL, MCL, and broken bone is expected to sideline Lindsey Vonn for eight months.

If all goes as planned, Vonn will return in time for the World Cup speed races in Lake Louise, Alberta. The speed races will occur in late November or early December.

Returning for the World Cup speed races could be a big confidence booster for Vonn after a long absence. The world class skier has won the course in Alberta 14 times.

Alpine director Patrick Riml told the AP:

‘‘She’s got her mind-set, she’s going to come back stronger than she was. She’s got her goal — ‘I’ll be back in Lake Louise’ — and Lindsey will do whatever it takes.”

Do you think Lindsey Vonn will return in time and in good enough shape to win a gold at the Sochi Olympics?