The American skier had already been competing with a torn ACL when tragedy struck on the slopes

Lindsey Vonn has shared an update on her recovery from hospital after her Winter Olympics hopes were dashed.

The 41-year-old Olympian posted an update on Instagram, where she revealed she has had a third surgery to repair her leg.

The American skier had already been competing with a torn ACL in her left knee, an injury which she said did not influence the accident which broke her tibia during the downhill final in Cortina.

She said: “I had my third surgery today and it was successful. Success today has a completely different meaning than it did a few days ago. I’m making progress and while it is slow, I know I’ll be ok.

“Thankful for all of the incredible medical staff, friends, family, who have been by my side and the beautiful outpouring of love and support from people around the world.

“Also, huge congrats to my teammates and all of the Team USA athletes who are out there inspiring me and giving me something to cheer for.”

Vonn broke her leg on February 8 after she had sped over a hill and hit one of the plastic markers on the side of the track.

A cloud of powder then engulfed the Olympian, with her right leg appearing to hit the ground first.

Lindsey Vonn revealed she has had a third surgery after breaking her tibia during the downhill skiing final

 | INSTAGRAM/LINDSEYVONN

She then tumbled forwards before coming to a halt on the slope.

Silence fell over the crowd as medical crews arrived to attend to Vonn, who airlifted off the mountain.

A medic on scene said the Olympian needed to be calmed down and was in agonising pain.

Dr Thomas Spallinger told Spanish newspaper El Mundo he reached the skiing great and arranged for her to be transferred to hospital by helicopter based on what he saw.

The gold medal winner had already been competing with a torn ACL, which she said did not cause the broken leg

 | INSTAGRAM/LINDSEYVONN

He added: “She was in a lot of pain at the time, so I rushed to begin treatment on site and stabilized her.

“Her physical therapist also intervened and helped us calm her until the helicopter arrived.”

The day after the crash she told her Instagram followers: “My Olympic dream did not finish the way I dreamt it would. It wasn’t a story book ending or a fairy tale, it was just life. I dared to dream and had worked so hard to achieve it.”

“Because in Downhill ski racing the difference between a strategic line and a catastrophic injury can be as small as five inches.

Lindsey Vonn was airlifted to hospital after her crash, with the skier sustaining a broken leg | GETTY

“I was simply five inches too tight on my line when my right arm hooked inside of the gate, twisting me and resulted in my crash. My ACL and past injuries had nothing to do with my crash whatsoever.

“Unfortunately, I sustained a complex tibia fracture that is currently stable but will require multiple surgeries to fix properly.”

“While yesterday did not end the way I had hoped, and despite the intense physical pain it caused, I have no regrets. Standing in the starting gate yesterday was an incredible feeling that I will never forget.”

Her father said he hopes his gold medal winning daughter moves on from skiing.

Alan Kildow said: “She’s 41 years old and this is the end of her career. There will be no more ski races for Lindsey Vonn, as long as I have anything to say about it.”