LINDSEY Vonn shared an emotional message as she celebrated her birthday eight months on from her devastating Winter Olympics crash.

The US Alpine skiing legend turned 42 on October 18 to round out a rollercoaster of a year both mentally and physically.

Vonn has endured more physical and mental toll from injuries in the past 12 months than most will experience in their lives.

And the emotion truly hit her as she celebrated turning one year older via a touching post on social media.

“Well… I’m another year older. 🎂🎉 Age is a funny thing…” her caption on Instagram began.

“My perspective of life at 30 was that (especially as an athlete) I was over the hill.

“But now that I’m in my 40’s I feel the knowledge of life that I have amassed makes me feel somehow much younger and more confident in who I am.

“Despite my crash and all of the things that have happened to me, the good, the bad the ugly…

“I’m always thankful to be in this life. Thankful for all the love and support I’ve received. 🙏🏻❤️ cheers to another one!”

Vonn had been truly enjoying the road to the 2026 Winter Olympics at Milan Cortina before she tore her ACL just over one week ahead of it all kicking off.

The skiing icon had come out of retirement in 2024 after six years out only for her dreams to be dealt a major blow so close to the ultimate goal.

She didn’t let the ACL tear stop her from competing for Team USA at the Games, however, only for it to get so much worse.

On her first official run, Vonn had a devastating crash that saw her break her ankle as well as suffer a complex leg fracture.

In July she revealed that she had undergone SIX surgeries since the accident.

And the surgeries aren’t over yet, sadly, with Vonn hoping to finally undergo surgery on her ACL in November.

Incredibly, she was named to the US Alpine Ski Team’s 49-athlete roster for 2026-27 earlier this month.

Provided the surgery on the ACL is successful, the incredible comeback that few thought possible might actually happen.

Even if it doesn’t, Vonn still has her beloved dog Chance and her new own luxury ski apparel and lifestyle brand called Vonn Collective to keep her busy.