Lindsey Vonn says ‘Olympic dream shouldn’t be over’ after crashing in final downhill earlier than Winter Video games

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Lindsey Vonn crashed and injured her left knee on Friday in her last downhill race earlier than the Olympics, however mentioned she nonetheless hopes to recuperate in time for the Milan Cortina Winter Video games.

"This can be a very troublesome consequence one week earlier than the Olympics but when there's one factor I understand how to do, it is a comeback," the 41-year-old American wrote on Instragram, hours after she was airlifted off the course for medical checks. "My Olympic dream shouldn't be over."

Vonn was the third skier to crash within the World Cup race in Crans-Montana when she misplaced management whereas touchdown a soar and ended up tangled within the security nets on the higher portion of the course.

She bought up after receiving medical consideration for about 5 minutes, seemingly in ache and utilizing her poles to regular herself. Vonn then skied slowly to the end line, stopping a few occasions on the way in which down and clutching her left knee.

"I crashed immediately within the Downhill race in Switzerland and injured my left knee. I'm discussing the scenario with my docs and staff and can proceed to bear additional exams," Vonn wrote in her Instagram put up. "Thanks for the entire love and help. I'll give extra data when I've it."

The race, which was held in troublesome circumstances with low visibility, was canceled after Vonn's crash.

The American, who was anticipated to be one of many largest stars of the Video games, limped right into a tent for medical consideration earlier than being airlifted away by helicopter, dangling from a hoist cable with two individuals attending her.

WATCH | Vonn crashes laborious at Swiss downhill: Lindsey Vonn crashes laborious throughout downhill race in Switzerland

Lindsey Vonn of the USA crashed into the course netting after circumstances deteriorated and the race was cancelled Friday on the World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland. Earlier than she entered the tent, Vonn had an anxious expression on her face and her eyes have been closed throughout a protracted embrace with teammate Jacqueline Wiles, who was main the race when it was canceled.

"I do know she damage her knee, I talked to her," the Worldwide Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann informed reporters within the end space. "I do not know if it is actually heavy and (if) she will not miss the Olympics. Let's watch for what the docs are saying."

Vonn made a surprising comeback final season at age 40 after almost six years away from ski racing. Snowboarding with a partial titanium implant in her proper knee, she has been the circuit's main downhiller this season with two victories and three different podium finishes within the 5 races.

Together with super-G, Vonn had accomplished eight World Cup races this season and completed on the rostrum in seven of them. Her worst end was fourth.

The crash occurred precisely every week earlier than the Milan Cortina opening ceremony.

Vonn's first Olympic race is the ladies's downhill on Feb. 8. She was additionally planning on competing within the super-G and the brand new staff mixed occasion on the Video games.

Ladies's snowboarding on the Olympics will likely be held in Cortina d'Ampezzo, the place Vonn holds the document of 12 World Cup wins.

Vonn was additionally planning on racing a super-G in Crans-Montana on Saturday in what would have been her last race earlier than the Video games.

Tough race circumstances Vonn was the sixth racer in Friday's downhill and had registered the quickest time on the first checkpoint earlier than touchdown a soar off-balance. She lifted her left arm and pole excessive into the air in an try and regain her steadiness. As she tried to brake, she bought spun round and ended up within the nets.

Two different skiers had additionally crashed earlier than her: Nina Ortlieb of Austria and Marte Monsen of Norway.

Ortlieb crashed on prime in the identical space as Vonn and Monsen hit the nets simply earlier than the end space and needed to be taken away in a sled. The race was delayed after each of these crashes. However then two racers — Wiles and Corinne Suter, the Olympic champion, accomplished their runs.

Wiles barely might make the tight last left-hand flip that had tricked Monsen.

Romane Miradoli of France, who did full her run because the second to start out, mentioned visibility was a difficulty, with snow falling.

"You possibly can't see," Miradoli mentioned, "and it is bumpy in all places."

Requested if it was harmful, Miradoli added, "We simply could not see nicely."

Vonn has had quite a few crashes in her profession. One in every of her worst was on the 2013 world championships in Schladming, Austria, throughout a super-G that was additionally held in troublesome circumstances. Vonn then needed to be airlifted off the course and tore aside her proper knee. She returned the next season, bought damage once more and missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Crans-Montana tributes The race began Friday in a subdued temper in Crans-Montana which is dealing with the trauma of a devastating hearth in bar within the early hours of New 12 months's Day that killed 40 individuals and injured greater than 100. A minute's silence was noticed earlier than racing.

The end space stripped of color and the same old sponsor adverts. As a substitute, it was dressed with white and black banners that includes a ribbon with the phrases "Our ideas are with you" written in French, German, Italian and English.