Lindsey Vonn has suffered a devastating crash in the women’s downhill skiing final at the Winter Olympics.
The 41-year-old American ruptured her ACL in a crash at a World Cup race in Switzerland on 30 January but was determined to compete at the Olympics nevertheless.
Just 13 seconds into her final run in Cortina, northern Italy, on Sunday, Vonn crashed on the piste, having clipped a slalom flag while mid-air.
The Team USA athlete was heard screaming after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel.
She was then strapped to a gurney and flown to hospital by helicopter.
The severity of her injuries is not known.
Vonn’s teammate, Breezy Johnson, was in the lead.
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Vonn was considered a medal hopeful despite her ruptured ACL and completed two impressive training runs earlier this week.
She had returned to elite ski racing last season after nearly six years, having had a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee.
As well as the ruptured ACL, she also had a bone bruise and meniscus damage.
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