Lindsey Vonn Airlifted To Hospital After Crashing Out Of Olympic Downhill Race

Lindsey Vonn’s 5th and last Olympics has ended successful nan 1 measurement everyone dreaded. Moments into her tally successful nan women’s downhill, Vonn’s limb grounded her arsenic she came complete a hill; she twisted and collapsed sideways to nan ground.

After a first stunned burst of shouts and screams, nan ambiance astir nan Olimpia delle Tofane downhill piste fell deadly quiet while nan aesculapian squad gathered astir her. Fifteen minutes later, Vonn was airlifted from nan upland to infirmary for emergency treatment. Her friend and teammate, Breezy Johnson, watching from nan leader’s seat, covered her eyes.

As Vonn’s chopper flew overhead, nan crowd astir nan upland collapsed into applause for her, nan astir dressed up Alpine skier successful nan history of nan sport. But nan disruption to nan title was a situation for nan competitors lining up down her, who included nan location favourite, Sofia Goggia.

Johnson’s clip of 1:36:10 proved capable to triumph nan golden medal, pinch Germany’s Emma Aicher conscionable 0.04 seconds down successful silver. Goggia had to settee for 3rd while different competitor, Andorra’s Cande Moreno Becerra, besides had to beryllium airlifted distant aft a dense crash.

Lindsey Vonn crashes early successful her tally down nan Olimpia delle Tofane piste. Photograph: Jacquelyn Martin/AP

Vonn, 41, was nan first forty-something to ever commencement an Olympic downhill race, and was competing present moreover aft she had ruptured nan ACL successful her near knee while racing successful Switzerland past week. “There’s still a chance,” she said earlier this week, “and arsenic agelong arsenic location is simply a chance I will try”.

She had successfully completed 2 downhill training runs present connected Friday and Saturday, but nan mishap leaves questions astir her determination to participate these Olympic Games successful that condition.

“In nan extremity she risked excessively much,” said nan double Olympic champion Tina Maze, commentating connected TNT Sports. “That’s nan benignant of clang that tin happen, of people if you are not patient nan consequences are moreover worse, but Lindsey wanted to do this, nary matter what. I

“It’s really reliable for everyone present to spot this, particularly for her family and teammates, everyone moving pinch her each day. It’s conscionable terrible. A reliable day.”