Lindsey Vonn, who was competing with a severely injured left knee, crashed early in Sunday's Olympic downhill. She was airlifted off the course after the 41-year-old American received medical treatment on the snow.
The skier lost control during the first traverse after cutting too sharply on her line, before being violently thrown into the air and spinning. Screams were heard after the impact, while medical teams quickly rushed to her aid. Immobilized on a stretcher, she was then airlifted to a hospital, an accident that could well mark the end of her extraordinary career.
The race was interrupted.
The race was interrupted while she was evacuated. Her teammate Breezy Johnson was then in the provisional lead.
Several of Lindsey Vonn's loved ones were present at the event, including her father, Alan Kildow, who kept his head down while his daughter received treatment. A hush fell over the stands. Among the spectators, Snoop Dogg also watched the scene with solemnity as the champion left a track filled with memories.
All eyes were on Lindsey Vonn. Last season, she had made a comeback to the highest level after nearly six years away, a bold move at her age, especially since she had also undergone partial knee replacement surgery on her right knee with a titanium prosthesis. Many doubted her ability to become competitive again.
She had silenced the doubters by immediately proving her worth. Arriving at the Games at the top of the World Cup downhill standings, she was among the favorites for gold, before a crash in Switzerland nine days earlier, during which she injured her knee again. She suffered, in particular, a torn anterior cruciate ligament, a bone contusion, and meniscus damage.
