American skiing star Lindsey Vonn misses St Moritz super-G with back injury

American skier Lindsey Vonn pulled out of Sunday’s super-G in St Moritz after sustaining a back injury 24 hours previously.

With less than two months to go before the Winter Olympic Games, Vonn said, “Unfortunately I will not be able to race today. I am extremely disappointed but my biggest goal this season is the Olympics, and I need to take care of myself now so I can be ready for next week, and more importantly, for February. As always, thank you for the well wishes.”

Her tweet ended with icons of a red heart and hands in prayer.

Vonn explained overnight that she had suffered an “acute facet [spinal joint] dysfunction.”

She added, “Our @usskiteam doctor checked me out and no imaging is needed, just need the joint and the muscles to calm down so I can move again.”

After completing Saturday’s superG, the 33-year-old Vonn lay down and then struggled to stand up again. Bent over, as if she had pain in the small of her back, Vonn then made her way into a tent reserved for competitors.

Vonn is one of the most successful skiers in history and has made the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, her priority for the season. The Games begins on February 9.

As it was, Vonn didn’t end up missing any time on the piste as Sunday’s super-G, which was also to count for Friday’s rescheduled combined discipline, was cancelled because of bad visibility.

Next up for the women on the World Cup circuit will be a downhill and superG next weekend in the French resort of Val d’Isere, with downhill training set for Thursday and Friday.