Lindsey Vonn is carving out some time for recovery.

That's why the alpine ski racer—who un-retired from the sport in 2024—isn't rushing back to the slopes after sustaining a torn ACL, broken ankle and fractured tibia during a crash at the 2026 Winter Olympics earlier this year.

"I have such a long way to go," Vonn exclusively told USA Sports' Renee Montgomery during the 2026 ESPY Awards at New York City's Lincoln Center on July 15. "I still have no ACL, so I need to fix that. I need to get all the metal out of my leg and then we'll assess."

She continued, "The biggest issue with my recovery is just that I was so immobile for so long. I was in a wheelchair for six weeks and on crutches for two-and-a-half months."

That said, the 41-year-old is now "feeling better" after getting back onto her feet. In fact, she even ditched flat shoes for her strut down the ESPYS red carpet. (Click here to see all the celebrity arrivals.)

"I'm walking, Im in heels," she added with a laugh. "I can't say it's comfortable, but is it ever?" 

But, looking back, Vonn doesn't regret her short-lived stint at the Cortina Milano Winter Games one bit.

"I wanted to come home with an Olympic medal, but I was going for gold and that's what happens," she explained. "I may not have done everything that I wanted to do, but I did a lot and I have to be proud of myself for that."

Plus, the athlete found out a lot about herself while recovering from her Olympics injuries. As Vonn jokingly put it, she's finally learned "how much Ben and Jerry's one can consume."

"It was a lot because that's my go-to: Ben and Jerry's, Law & Order," she quipped. "I was sitting for a lot of time."

And while Vonn felt "so low" at the time, she dug deep and persevered. 

"In the end, when you're recovering for something, there is no option," she shared. "There's no failure in rehab. You have to keep doing it, so I stuck it out."

Vonn added, "I'm here. I'm happy—finally. It's all good."

To see Vonn and more stars at ESPYS 2026, keep reading...

(E! and USA Sports are both part of Versant Media.)