Former Olympic skiing champion Lindsey Vonn has offered fans a glimpse into her recovery by sharing photos from a summer getaway in France, appearing in high spirits as she continues rehabilitating from the serious leg injury she sustained at the Winter Olympics earlier this year.
Paddleboarding Photos Highlight Recovery Progress
The 41-year-old posted a collection of images on Instagram from what appears to be a vacation in the coastal town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, France.
Among the photos, Vonn is seen paddleboarding while displaying her athletic physique, while another image shows her wearing a helmet and life jacket on a beach, suggesting she has also been taking part in other water-based activities.
She accompanied the post with the brief caption: “Been on the move…”
Rehabilitation Remains a Long Process
Despite the active vacation, Vonn recently acknowledged that her recovery remains far from complete. Speaking on the red carpet at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles last month, she revealed that her ankle has not fully healed and described the rehabilitation process as slow and demanding.
According to Vonn, it took nearly five months before she was able to resume meaningful gym workouts, while walking continues to present challenges as she recovers from multiple injuries.
Olympic Crash Led to Multiple Surgeries
Vonn’s injuries stem from a devastating crash during the women’s downhill event at the Winter Olympics in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, on February 8.
Already competing with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee following an earlier accident before the Games, the American skiing icon suffered catastrophic damage to her left leg during the race.
The injuries required eight surgeries, and she later revealed that the severity of the fracture nearly resulted in the loss of the limb.
Romance Rumors Continue With French Ski Racer
Away from the slopes, Vonn has also attracted attention over her reported relationship with French alpine skier Matthieu Bailet.
The pair were first linked earlier this year after being seen together in New York City, where they attended a Broadway performance of The Outsiders, explored SoHo, and traveled on the subway. They later fueled speculation further when Vonn commented with a flirtatious emoji on one of Bailet’s social media posts.
In June, the two were photographed together at the Monaco Grand Prix, adding to reports that they are romantically involved.
Return to Competitive Skiing Remains the Goal
Despite her lengthy recovery, Vonn continues to look toward a return to elite competition.
Earlier this year, she was among 48 athletes nominated to the U.S. Alpine Ski Team for the upcoming season, a move widely viewed as a positive indication that she intends to resume racing once medically cleared.
The nomination represents the first stage of the team selection process. Athletes who accept their nominations and satisfy all eligibility requirements are expected to be officially confirmed in October, ahead of the opening FIS Alpine Ski World Cup events in Soelden, Austria, later that month.
