Lindsey Vonn has suffered a devastating crash in the women's downhill skiing final at the Winter Olympics.

The 41-year-old American ruptured her ACL in a crash at a World Cup race in Switzerland on 30 January but was determined to compete at the Olympics nevertheless.

Just 13 seconds into her final run in Cortina, northern Italy, on Sunday, Vonn crashed on the piste, having clipped a slalom gate while mid-air.

The Team USA athlete was heard screaming after the crash as she was surrounded by medical personnel for several minutes.

Vonn was then strapped to a gurney and flown to hospital by helicopter.

The severity of her injuries is not known.

People in the crowd, including rapper Snoop Dogg, watched as the skier crashed and was taken away from the course. Vonn's father was also in the stands and stared at the ground while she was being treated.

Vonn's teammate, Breezy Johnson, won the women's downhill, becoming the second American woman to take the Olympic downhill gold. Vonn was the first US woman to accomplish the feat.

Vonn was considered a medal hopeful despite her ruptured ACL and completed two impressive training runs earlier this week.

She had returned to elite ski racing last season after nearly six years in retirement, having had a partial titanium knee replacement in her right knee.

As well as the ruptured ACL, she also had a bone bruise and meniscus damage.