American downhill racer Jacqueline Wiles out of PyeongChang with major leg injuries

ByAlex Chick

Updated 03/02/2018 at 18:22 GMT

U.S. alpine ski racer Jacqueline Wiles will miss the Olympic Games and the rest of the 2017/18 season after suffering serious injuries in the final World Cup downhill before PyeongChang.

The 25-year-old suffered a cruciate ligament tear as well as fractures of the fibula and tibia after losing control during the race in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, the German SID news agency reported.

US downhill racer suffers major leg injuries in crash, out of Olympics

The downhill specialist was part of a 23-strong U.S. team. Team-mate Laurenne Ross also crashed heavily in the Garmisch event but escaped relatively unscathed.

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The race was won by fellow American Lindsey Vonn.

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Vonn, who has overcome multiple knee injuries to compete in her fourth Olympics, lent her support to Wiles before the extent of her injuries was known.

"It was really hard to actually be happy and excited and celebrate because Jackie is in the hospital," said Vonn.

"It’s a really rough day for the whole team. I am happy that Lauren wasn’t hurt. I think she will be really sore tomorrow but at least her knee is OK."

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