By GRAHAM DUNBAR
CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — In an unfortunate turn of events, Lindsey Vonn, the celebrated American skier, was involved in a serious crash during her final downhill race prior to the Winter Olympics. The incident occurred on Friday, just as the 41-year-old was gearing up for the upcoming Milan Cortina Games, and she had to be airlifted from the slopes for medical evaluation.
Vonn was one of three skiers to experience crashes in the World Cup race held at Crans-Montana. She lost her balance after landing a jump and became entangled in the safety nets that lined the upper section of the course.
After approximately five minutes of medical attention, Vonn managed to stand, though she appeared to be in significant discomfort. Supporting herself with her ski poles, she slowly made her way down the rest of the course. Along the way, she paused several times, visibly favoring her left knee.
The difficult conditions of the race, characterized by poor visibility, contributed to the decision to cancel the event following Vonn’s accident.
At this point, the extent to which this mishap will affect Vonn’s preparation for the Olympics remains uncertain. Initially expected to be a standout performer at the Games, she was seen limping into a medical tent before being lifted away by helicopter. Attended by two individuals, she was hoisted from the course, casting a shadow of doubt over her Olympic aspirations.
The U.S. Ski Team said on social media that she was being evaluated.
Before she entered the tent, Vonn had an anxious expression on her face and her eyes were closed during a long embrace with teammate Jacqueline Wiles, who was leading the race when it was canceled.
“I know she hurt her knee, I talked to her,” the International Ski and Snowboard Federation CEO Urs Lehmann told reporters in the finish area. “I don’t know if it’s really heavy and (if) she won’t miss the Olympics. Let’s wait for what the doctors are saying.”
Vonn made a stunning comeback last season at age 40 after nearly six years away from ski racing. Skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she has been the circuit’s leading downhiller this season with two victories and three other podium finishes in the five races.
Including super-G, Vonn had completed eight World Cup races this season and finished on the podium in seven of them. Her worst finish was fourth.
The crash occurred exactly a week before the Milan Cortina opening ceremony.
Vonn’s first Olympic race is the women’s downhill on Feb. 8. She was also planning on competing in the super-G and the new team combined event at the Games.
Women’s skiing at the Olympics will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds the record of 12 World Cup wins.
Vonn was also planning on racing a super-G in Crans-Montana on Saturday in what would have been her final race before the Games.
Difficult race conditions
Vonn was the sixth racer in Friday’s downhill and had registered the fastest time at the first checkpoint before landing a jump off-balance. She lifted her left arm and pole high into the air in an attempt to regain her balance. As she tried to brake, she got spun around and ended up in the nets.
Two other skiers had also crashed before her: Nina Ortlieb of Austria and Marte Monsen of Norway.
Ortlieb crashed on top in the same area as Vonn and Monsen hit the nets just before the finish area and had to be taken away in a sled. The race was delayed after both of those crashes. But then two racers — Wiles and Corinne Suter, the Olympic champion, completed their runs.
Wiles barely could make the tight final left-hand turn that had tricked Monsen.
Romane Miradoli of France, who did complete her run as the second to start, said visibility was an issue, with snow falling.
“You can’t see,” Miradoli said, “and it’s bumpy everywhere.”
Asked if it was dangerous, Miradoli added, “We just couldn’t see well.”
Vonn has had numerous crashes in her career. One of her worst was at the 2013 world championships in Schladming, Austria, during a super-G that was also held in difficult conditions. Vonn then had to be airlifted off the course and tore apart her right knee. She returned the following season, got hurt again and missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Crans-Montana tributes
The race started Friday in a subdued mood in Crans-Montana which is coping with the trauma of a devastating fire in bar in the early hours of New Year’s Day that killed 40 people and injured more than 100. A minute’s silence was observed before racing.
The finish area stripped of color and the usual sponsor adverts. Instead, it was dressed with white and black banners featuring a ribbon with the words “Our thoughts are with you” written in French, German, Italian and English.
