Top skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash

Updated
Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash
Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash


Olympic gold medallist skier Lindsey Vonn has been injured in a crash on the opening day of the Alpine World Championships in Austria.

The pro-skier was airlifted to hospital after rupturing cruciate ligaments in her right knee, as well as fracturing a bone in her lower leg, during a race at Schladming.

Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash
Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash


The crash happened on Tuesday at the women's super-G event. A helicopter was called, and medics treated the 28-year-old for 12 minutes at the scene.

According to the BBC, Lindsey, who is a 2009 world downhill and super-G champion, landed on the side of her ski after a jump, and flipped over, before crashing into a safety gate.

Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash
Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash


CNN reports that the US ski team's medical director, Kyle Wilkins, explained that Vonn suffered a torn ACL and MCL in her right knee and a lateral tibial plateau fracture.

The US team's website reported that Vonn will be out for the rest of the season, but is expected to return for the 2013-14 World Cup, as well as next February's Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash
Skier Lindsey Vonn airlifted to hospital after serious race crash

Lindsey Vonn's grandfather and father were both competitive skiers, and she took to the slopes at the tender age of three.

As well as skiing, Lindsey has also modelled for Sports Illustrated, and is currently thought to be dating Tiger Woods, reports the Daily Mail.

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