Olympics-Alpine skiing-Vonn says fourth surgery went well, looks forward to skiing again

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S. downhill great Lindsey Vonn said her fourth round of surgery had gone well on Saturday and she looked forward to returning home to America and eventually skiing again after her crash at the Winter Games.

Vonn, the 2010 Olympic champion and second most successful female World Cup skier of all time, suffered a complex leg fracture in last Sunday's downhill when attempting to race despite a serious knee injury.

"Surgery went well today! Thankfully I will be able to finally go back to the U.S.," the 41-year-old posted on Instagram on Saturday. "Once I’m back I will give you more updates and info about my injury."

Vonn again defended her decision to race, saying she knew what she was doing and what the consequences might be.

"I was willing to risk and push and sacrifice for something I knew I was absolutely capable of doing. I will always take the risk of crashing while giving it my all, rather than not ski to my potential and have regret," she added.

"And to be perfectly honest, I was stronger physically in that moment than I have been often in the past. Certainly stronger than I was when I ended (my) career in 2019 where I got a bronze medal in the World Championships."

"Mentally, I was more ready than I have ever been."

Vonn said she had no regrets and the ride was worth the fall.

"The love I have for skiing remains. I am still looking forward to the moment when I can stand on the top of the mountain once more. And I will," she added.