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Lindsey Vonn crashed in her final downhill race before the Winter Olympics on Friday and was airlifted off the course for medical examinations, a worrying turn for the 41-year-old American skiing star just a week before the Games in Cortina, Milan.

Vonn – the third skier to crash at a World Cup race in Crans-Montana – lost control on her descent and ended up entangled in a safety net at the top of the course.

She stood up after receiving medical attention for about 5 minutes, apparently in pain and using crutches to steady herself. Vonn then skied slowly to the finish line, stopping several times on the way down and holding her left knee.

The race, which was run in difficult conditions and poor visibility, was canceled after Vonn’s crash.

It was not immediately clear how the accident would affect Vonn’s Olympic preparations. The American, who was expected to be one of the biggest stars of the Games, limped into a tent to receive medical attention before being airlifted out, hanging from a crane rope with two people accompanying her.

The US Ski Team announced on social media that she was being evaluated.

WATCH | Vonn had a hard fall on the Swiss downhill:

Lindsey Vonn crashed heavily during a downhill in Switzerland

Lindsey Vonn of the USA crashed into the course grid after conditions worsened and the race was canceled at Friday’s World Cup downhill in Crans Montana, Switzerland.

Before entering the tent, Vonn wore a worried expression and closed her eyes during a long hug with teammate Jacqueline Wiles, who was leading the race when the race was called off.

“I know she injured her knee, I spoke to her,” International Ski and Snowboard Federation chief executive Urs Lehmann told reporters in the finish area. “I don’t know if it’s really difficult and (if) he won’t miss the Olympics. Let’s wait and see what the doctors say.”

Vonn made a stunning comeback last season at the age of 40 after nearly six years off from ski racing. Skiing with a partial titanium implant in her right knee, she was the leading downhiller this season with two wins and three other podium finishes in five races.

Including the super-G, Vonn has completed eight World Cup races this season and has finished on the podium in seven of them. Her worst finish was fourth.

The accident happened exactly one week before the opening ceremony of Milan’s Cortina.

Vonn’s first Olympic race is the women’s downhill on February 8. She also planned to compete in the super-G and new team combination at the Games.

Women’s skiing at the Olympics will be held in Cortina d’Ampezzo, where Vonn holds a record 12 World Cup victories.

Vonn also planned to compete in Saturday’s super-G in Crans-Montana, which would be her last race before the Games.

Difficult race conditions

Vonn was sixth in Friday’s downhill and posted the fastest time at the first checkpoint before landing with an off-balance jump. She raised her left arm and pole high in the air in an attempt to regain her balance. As she tried to brake, she spun and ended up in the net.

Two other skiers also crashed before her: Nina Ortlieb from Austria and Marte Monsen from Norway.

Ortlieb crashed to the top in the same area when Vonn and Monsen hit the nets just before the finish area and had to be carted off. The race was postponed after both crashes. But then two runners – Wiles and Corinne Suter, the Olympic champion, finished their runs.

Wiles barely managed to make a tight final left turn that tricked Monsen.

Romane Miradoli of France, who finished her ride second at the start, said visibility was a problem because it was snowing.

“You can’t see it,” said Miradoli, “and it’s uneven everywhere.”

Asked if it was dangerous, Miradoli added: “We just couldn’t see very well.”

Vonn has had numerous downfalls in her career. One of her worst was at the 2013 World Championships in Schladming, Austria, during the super-G, which was also held in difficult conditions. Vonn then had to be thrown off the track and shattered her right knee. She returned the following season, re-injured herself and missed the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Honors of Crans-Montana

The race began Friday in a subdued mood in Crans-Montana, which is dealing with the trauma of a devastating bar fire in the early hours of New Year’s Day that killed 40 people and injured more than 100. A minute’s silence was held before the race.

The final part is devoid of color and the usual sponsor advertisements. Instead, she was dressed in white and black ribbon banners with the words “Our thoughts are with you” written in French, German, Italian and English.