Lindsey Vonn was airlifted off the mountain after crashing early in her run in the Olympic women’s downhill in Cortina.
The American superstar clipped a gate and somersaulted off the course, leading to an extended delay as she was tended by a team of medics.
The 41-year-old, who won downhill gold in Vancouver in 2010, had been intent on competing despite tearing her ACL in a warm-up race in Crans-Montana just over a week ago.
The huge crowd at the Tofane Alpine Centre fell almost silent as Vonn received extended treatment, then broke into cheers as the medical helicopter arrived to whisk her to hospital.
Former British Olympian Chemmy Alcott, co-commetating from the BBC, was clearly distressed watching the scenes and said: ‘Breezy Johnson will not be enjoying sitting in that [gold medal] chair, we all know what Lindsey has done to our sport.
‘Lindsey was an early bib number and the temperature is increasing so the later athletes will be taking a big risk.
‘It means the surface wont be as constant and the trust in the ski won’t be as good.
‘This sport is tough and you are pushing yourself to your limit at speed. We have a standing ovation now as the helicopter goes.’
Vonn initially retired from the sport in 2019 following a slew of injuries but, after undergoing a partial knee replacement in April 2024, she returned to competition in December of that year.
She had won two World Cup events this season and been among the favourites for the downhill before her fall in Switzerland.
Vonn had successfully completed two practice runs on the Cortina course on Friday and Saturday, wearing a brace on her injured knee, and her coach Aksel Lund Svindal felt she was in “good enough” condition to challenge for a medal.
More to follow…