Cookie Monster sends 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 she was sending her love to the Olympic gold medalist as she continues to undergo additional surgeries following her accident in the women’s downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
“You’re one tough cookie, (Lindsey Vonn)! Sending you love, cookies, and this stylish, delicious hat! We’ll look like twins,” Cookie Monster wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
REQUIRED READING: Lindsey Vonn says Olympic injury ‘more serious’ than broken leg
Vonn’s accident was the second in a matter of weeks for the decorated American skier, who was returning to the Winter Olympics stage after retiring from competition in 2019.
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In her latest update on Tuesday, February 17, Vonn shared with her followers that her injury from the accident during the women’s downhill event was “much more serious” than a broken leg. He also shared that he was returning to the United States after undergoing several surgeries at a hospital in Treviso, Italy.
“My leg is still in pieces… but I’m finally HOME!” Vonn wrote in her post on Tuesday. “My injury was much more serious than a simple broken leg. I’m still understanding what it means and the road ahead… but I will give you more details in the coming days.”
What happened to Lindsey Vonn?
Vonn caught the fourth gate with her right arm, sending her spinning and hurtling toward the hard, packed snow. She fell back and forth several times before stopping.
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“Things happen so fast in this sport,” American teammate Bella Wright said after the race. “It looked like Lindsey had incredible speed on that turn, she hooked her arm and it ended like that.”
What is Lindsey Vonn’s injury?
In a Feb. 9 Instagram post, Vonn shared the devastating news that she suffered a complex tibia fracture that will require multiple surgeries. The 41-year-old updated her fans on February 11 after a third surgery in Italy and included some gruesome photos of her progress. On February 14, Vonn posted after her third surgery that she still had more procedures ahead of her, but was finally able to return to the United States.
“Once I return I will give you more updates and information regarding my injury,” Vonn wrote.
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A tibia fracture is a break in the shin that is an emergency that needs immediate treatment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “The shinbones are some of the strongest bones in the 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 shinbone.”
A complex fracture involves multiple breaks in a damaged bone and soft tissue, according to Yale Medicine. Symptoms include extreme pain, numbness, and sometimes a bone protruding from 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