The Team USA athlete was taking part in her first Olympics in eight years just days after she completely ruptured her ACL in her knee
Karin Kildow, the sister of Olympic star Lindsey Vonn, has shared an update after the devastating accident at the Winter Olympics today (Sunday, February 8).
The 41 year old Team USA athlete was taking part in her first Olympics in eight years, just days after she completely ruptured her ACL in her knee. The Olympics are being held at Milan Cortina and Vonn was on the downhill Alpine when the accident happened, reported the Express.
Viewers were left watching in horror as Vonn appeared to lose her footing after she struck a gate with her right arm. This caused her to veer to the right while she was still airbourne and despite attempts to regain control, she hit the snow at an incredible speed.
The arena went quiet as Vonn’s cries could be heard amid the silence. Organisers switched on music to cover the silence from the stunned and worried spectators.
Vonn was placed in a medical bag then airlifted to hospital in a yellow helicopter that carried her above the snow covered mountains.
Speaking to USA Today, Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow said Vonn was conscious of all the dangers and was merely testing her limits. She reassured supporters that Vonn was receiving care from the finest medical professionals available.
“I mean that definitely was the last thing we wanted to see and it happened quick and when that happens, you’re just immediately hoping she’s okay,” she said.
“But she really … she just dared greatly and she put it all out there. So it’s really hard to see, but we just really hope she’s okay.
“She does have all of her surgeons and her PT staff here and her doctors, so I’m sure they’ll give us a report and we’ll meet her at whatever hospital she’s at.”
Following a considerable delay whilst the course remained suspended, Vonn’s compatriot Breezy Johnson claimed Team USA’s opening medal of the Winter Olympics, clocking 1:36:10 to capture gold becoming the first American to achieve this since Vonn herself.