Skiing legend Lindsey Vonn shared heartbreaking news on Sunday night—her beloved dog, Lucy, passed away after a battle with kidney failure.
Earlier in the week, Vonn revealed that Lucy, her 9-year-old Cavalier King Charles spaniel and longtime travel companion, had been struggling with severe kidney issues. Despite receiving veterinary care, Lucy’s condition was dire. Determined to be by her side, Vonn rushed home to Utah to spend time with her cherished pet.
Five days later, Vonn confirmed Lucy’s passing in an emotional Instagram post.
A Tribute to a Loyal Companion
Vonn posted a heartfelt message alongside a series of photos, reflecting on the bond she shared with Lucy.
“Today my sweet, sweet Lucy left us,” Vonn wrote. “Nine years ago, she came into my life, and from the very first moment until the very last, she brought so much light and love to me and everyone she met.”
The champion skier reminisced about their adventures together, highlighting the special moments they shared.
“We traveled the world together, skied, hiked, biked, explored, went down waterfalls, up in air balloons, to the Olympics,” she continued. “We went on SO many incredible adventures together and created so many memories that I am beyond lucky to have shared with her.”
Vonn expressed admiration for Lucy’s fearless nature, recalling how her beloved pet was always eager to try new experiences. “She was never scared, never hesitant to try something new. She was always happy, loved big, and unconditionally.”
Struggling to put her grief into words, Vonn concluded, “There will never be enough words to describe how much I love her, and my heart will never ever be the same without her. There will never be another Lucy.”
Finding Comfort in Faith and Gratitude
Amid her sorrow, Vonn found solace in the belief that Lucy had reunited with her late mother and other cherished family members who had passed.
“I know she is with my Mom, Bear, and our family up in heaven,” she wrote. “I envision them all together, running around, happy and no longer in pain, always guiding me and watching out for me from above. At least I have to believe that, or else the pain would be unbearable.”
Vonn ended her tribute with a final message to Lucy:
“You will always be my light. Until we meet again… I love you, my princess.”
She also expressed gratitude to the veterinarians who provided Lucy with care over the years, particularly in her final days. “Thank you to all of the incredible veterinarians who helped her over the years and especially over the last days. You all did everything possible to save her, and I will be forever grateful.”
A Difficult Season with a Silver Lining
Lucy’s passing came at an emotional time for Vonn, who recently wrapped up her comeback ski season. After undergoing knee surgery and making a remarkable return to the sport at age 40, she finished her season with a second-place result in a World Cup super-G race. While this achievement was historic—making her the oldest female Alpine ski racer to earn a World Cup podium finish by nearly six years—she left Sun Valley with a heavy heart, knowing Lucy’s condition was deteriorating.
“I’ve got to go figure it out… I need all the luck I can get,” she said at the time, hoping for a miracle for her beloved pet.
Despite this devastating loss, Vonn remains grateful for the love and support of her other pets, particularly her 12-year-old dog, Leo, who is currently in remission after undergoing chemotherapy treatment for cancer. “My big boy Leo is thankfully still in remission and going strong at 12 years old. It’s back to how it all started… just me and Leo. Thankful I still have him.”
An Outpouring of Support
Several athletes and celebrities, including WNBA star Cameron Brink and tennis champion Coco Gauff, reached out to Vonn with messages of comfort.
“Sending you so much love,” Brink commented, while Gauff expressed, “I am so sorry,” accompanied by heart emojis.
Looking Toward the Future
While mourning Lucy’s loss, Vonn remains focused on her ski career. She has hinted at plans to continue competing, with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
Vonn’s comeback season ended on a high note, with an emotional performance in Sun Valley that secured her a podium spot for the first time since 2018. Reflecting on her journey, she acknowledged the physical and mental challenges she overcame to get there.
“I just knew that sometimes when you know the only option is to perform, it brings the best out of me,” she said. “I used every last ounce of energy that I had and tried to put everything together. It kind of felt, honestly, like the Olympics.”
She compared her race to her iconic gold medal-winning downhill run at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, saying she couldn’t watch it without getting emotional. “This one is going to be the same thing. Even just thinking about it, I get emotional.”
Despite undergoing a partial knee replacement, Vonn finished her season with minimal pain. “It feels great,” she said. “I always knew that I could do it… I think a lot of people saw on Sunday what it meant to me—that I love the sport and appreciate the support I’ve received on this journey.”
As she looks ahead, Vonn plans to travel to Europe for equipment testing and further training. She admitted that her preparation for this season was rushed, but she’s optimistic about what lies ahead.
“Now I actually get to train and do [testing] in the correct way and the way it’s supposed to be done,” she said. “One of the biggest reasons why I love ski racing is that you have to perform when the stakes are highest. I am proud of myself that I was able to do it.”
With her determination intact and Lucy’s memory in her heart, Vonn is ready to face the future—both on and off the slopes.
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