Lindsey Vonn airlifted from course after crash in final downhill before Olympics – video

Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the final World Cup downhill before the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics on Friday, leaving the American skiing great limping and clutching her left knee as organisers abandoned the race amid worsening conditions.

The 41-year-old lost control after landing a jump on the upper section of the course in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, skidding sideways into the safety netting as snow fell steadily and visibility deteriorated.

She was later airlifted from the finish area by helicopter, suspended by a rope as she was transported away across the Swiss Alps.

• Lindsey Vonn airlifted from course after crash in final downhill before Olympics