The Alpine skiing World Cup holder Lindsey Vonn escaped an horrendous crash on the first leg of the World Cup Giant Slalom run in Lienz, Austria, with little more than heavy bruising.
Vonn, who is currently leading the World Cup, crashed heavily injuring her left arm in the first leg of the giant slalom run at Schlossberg today.
The American lost her balance on a bump after a sharp left turn and fell backwards, hitting a gate and losing a ski. She landed heavily in her left hip and arm and stayed down for almost 10 minutes while she received treatment from the first aiders. She then stood up, put her skis back on and continued down the hill with her arm in a sling.
Maria Riesch, who is Vonn’s closest challenger in the overall standings, followed the American down the run and appeared to be distracted by her friend’s crash and missed a gate on the middle section.
"It's hard to stay focussed and keep your concentration during such a break," said the German. "But it wasn't the main reason for my mistake. It's more down to my lack of confidence in GS at the moment."
The world champion, meanwhile, was hospitalised. "It hurts in the left arm and hand," she told Austrian television before heading to the local hospital, where she was examined and released soon after.
Doctors said the American had not suffered a fracture, only swelling, and should be fit to compete in tomorrow's slalom event.
Vonn remains on top of the overall table on 581 points, with Riesch in second place on 531.
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