Alpine skiing-Vonn crashes out of women's downhill

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 8 : U.S. skier Lindsey Vonn's bid to win Olympic downhill gold with a ruptured ACL lasted less than 20 seconds on Sunday as the American great suffered a horrific crash early in her run.

Vonn, 41, whose battle to reach the start line despite her knee injury dominated the opening days of the Milano Cortina Olympics saw her unlikely bid end in agony.

She appeared to clip the fourth gate with her shoulder and lost control, barrelling off the course at high speed before coming to rest in a crumpled heap.

Vonn could be heard screaming on television coverage as fans and teammates gasped in horror before a shocked hush fell on the finish area at the bottom of the Olimpia delle Tofane course.

She was surrounded by several medics and officials before a yellow helicopter arrived and she was winched off the course in an orange stretcher.

The helicopter took Vonn to Cortina's Codivilla Putti Hospital for a medical assessment.

Teammate Breezy Johnson, the world champion who had set the fastest time, covered her eyes and looked away as the helicopter was called.

As it took off towards Cortina, spectators applauded.

Vonn, the 2010 downhill champion, had been hoping to become the oldest Alpine skiing Olympic medallist after winning two World Cup races this year.

SKIERS LEFT SHOCKED

The American's crash sent shockwaves across day two of the Games.

Vonn's team mate, American downhill skier Bryce Bennett, watching in the town square in Bormio, was left shocked.

"It's obviously a bummer. It's just like the risk of downhill is high and ... Like, everyone makes it look so easy when it's going smooth and then you see how quickly it can go in the other direction.

"Her right leg didn't look so good, but we'll see."

There was