Colorado Skier Lindsey Vonn Airlifted After Injury

American skier Lindsey Vonn had to be airlifted today after  suffering a crash at the World Alpine Skiing Championships in Schladming, Austria. The spill took place on the first day of the Super G Championship race.

The BBC quotes a hospital spokesman as saying Vonn, who lives in Vail, Colorado, suffered a "complex knee injury." The injury could affect her ability to compete at the Winter Olympics next near in Sochi, Russia.

While landing following a jump, Vonn lost balance on her right leg, sliding off course and hitting a gate before coming to a stop. She reportedly received treatment on the slope for 12 minutes before being airlifted to the hospital.

UPDATE: The U.S. Ski team has confirmed Vonn suffered tears to the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligament in her right knee which will require surgery and lengthy rehabilitation. They said she is out for the remainder of the season but they expect her to return to racing next year, including the Winter Olympics.

Here you can see the spill.