Lindsey Vonn has been transported to hospital by helicopter after suffering a crash during what was her last Alpine Skiing World Cup event before the Winter Olympics, casting serious doubt over whether the American star will compete at the Games.
The 41-year-old, widely regarded as one of skiing’s greatest ever competitors, came off the course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, sustaining an injury to her left knee.
With the Winter Olympics set to commence next Friday, the timing of the incident has sparked significant concern about Vonn’s ability to take part in an event where she had been considered among the leading contenders.
The veteran skier lost control upon landing a jump, subsequently sliding into the protective barriers at the side of the course.
Medical staff attended to Vonn for approximately five minutes before she was able to stand, visibly in discomfort and relying on her poles for support.
She proceeded to make her way down to the finish line at a cautious pace, pausing on several occasions whilst holding her left knee.
Following further examination in the medical tent, Vonn was flown to hospital by helicopter.
Lindsey Vonn pictured skiing on Friday
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Race organisers subsequently called off the World Cup event owing to persistent heavy snowfall that had affected conditions throughout the day.
Urs Lehmann, chief executive of the International Ski and Snowboard Federation, confirmed he had spoken directly with the injured athlete.
“I know she hurt her knee, I talked to her,” he told reporters gathered in the finish area.
Lindsey Vonn is a four-time Olympic medalist
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“I don’t know if it’s really heavy and (if) she won’t miss the Olympics. Let’s wait for what the doctors are saying.”
French competitor Romane Miradoli, among the handful of skiers who managed to complete their runs, expressed alarm at the treacherous conditions on the mountain.
“You can’t see, and it’s bumpy everywhere,” she said. “We just couldn’t see well.”
Vonn’s presence at the Olympics would have marked the culmination of an extraordinary return to competitive skiing.
The American had been away from the sport for nearly six years before making her comeback last season at the age of 40, racing with a partial titanium implant fitted in her right knee.
Her form this campaign has been exceptional, establishing herself as the dominant force in downhill racing with two victories and three additional podium finishes across five events.
Across both downhill and super-G disciplines, Vonn had recorded podium finishes in seven of her eight World Cup appearances, with fourth place representing her lowest result.
The four-time World Cup overall champion had been widely tipped to challenge for gold in the women’s downhill.