Alpine skiing-Vonn's dream gone in 13 seconds after horror crash

CORTINA D'AMPEZZO, Italy, Feb 8 : Lindsey Vonn's audacious bid to win Olympic downhill gold with a ruptured ACL lasted 13 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 quest end in agony.

Wearing bib number 13 and with a brace on the knee she injured in a crash at Crans Montana on January 30, Vonn looked pumped up at the start gate, tapping her ski poles before setting off in typically aggressive fashion.

Vonn has a deep knowledge of Cortina's Olimpia delle Tofane, having enjoyed 12 of her 84 career World Cup wins on it during a glittering career, but she appeared to clip the fourth gate with her shoulder, losing control and being launched into the air.

She then barrelled off the sunlit course in 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 packed finish area.

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

The helicopter took Vonn to Cortina's Codivilla Putti Hospital for a medical assessment. As it flew overhead towards the town, spectators applauded.

There was no immediate word on her condition.

SKIERS LEFT SHOCKED

Fellow American Breezy Johnson, the world champion who had set the fastest time, covered her eyes and looked away as the helicopter was called. Johnson was later crowned champion but it was a bitter-sweet day for the team.

"My heart goes out to her," Johnson said. "When you love the course so