Ski champ Lindsey Vonn injures knee in race crash February 5, 2013 -- Updated 1845 GMT (0245 HKT) Ski champion Lindsey Vonn NEW: Vonn does not need immediate surgery on the "complex torn ligament," her doctor says The four-time Alpine World Cup champion's injuries are not life-threatening Snow prevented her from practicing on the race course Monday Vonn won the downhill gold in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver (CNN) -- Olympic champion Lindsey Vonn suffered a "complex knee injury" when she crashed during the opening day super-G at the Alpine Ski World Championships in Austria Tuesday, doctors said. The U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association said the four-time Alpine World Cup champion was airlifted from the race course in Schladming, Austria, to a hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening, a hospital spokesman said. Vonn, 28, does not need immediate surgery on the "complex torn ligament" in her right knee, said Dr. Christian Kaulfersch, who is treating her at the Schladming Hospital. U.S. team officials are considering if she should fly back to the United States or remain in Europe for treatment, he said. The U.S. team's website reported that Vonn will be ruled out for the rest of this season, but is expected to return for the 2013-14 World Cup campaign and next February's Winter Olympics in Sochi. She wrote in a special column published in The Denver Post that the women's super-G runs might be postponed Tuesday because of weather. Vonn edges closer to World Cup record "I've been trying to be patient and stay calm, but it's pretty tough with the way the weather has been," Vonn wrote. It snowed a lot Sunday night, there was no training possible Monday on the race hill, then it rained most of Monday afternoon and evening. The heavy snow meant Monday's free skiing session, in which she could learn about the race course's terrain and conditions, was canceled, she wrote. "None of our staff has been on the hill," she wrote. We don't know what shape the hill is in. We don't know anything about it. She was very familiar with the hill since it is where the World Cup finals were held last year, she wrote, "but it always feels a little awkward when you don't get a chance to free ski the hill before you race. It's tricky to know the terrain when all you have to go on is course inspection the morning of the race. Vonn, who won the downhill gold in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, is just three wins behind Annemarie Moser-Proll's record of 62 World Cup wins. She was coming back from an intestinal illness that hospitalized her in November. World Cup leader Tina Maze won gold in Tuesday's super-G ahead of Lara Gut of Switzerland and third-placed American Julia Mancuso. The Slovenian continued her dominance this season as another big rival, two-time Olympic champion Maria Hofl-Riesch of Germany, also crashed out of the race. "This is very important for me, it is my first speed medal," Maze said on the FIS website. I came here as one of the top favorites and proved my good shape. I knew it would be a long day today and was ready for it, even after all the postponements. Slovenia is such a small country and I am very happy and proud I can take this gold medal back with me. Mancuso won the fifth world championship medal of her career, and her third in the super-G discipline -- one of two "speed events" along with the downhill, compared to the "technical" slalom and giant slalom races. I think that might've been one of the most difficult races I've ever been in. It was a really long course. I didn't know I'd be so tired at the end of the run," the 28-year-old said. CNN's Stephanie Halasz contributed to this report January 28, 2013 -- Updated 1750 GMT (0150 HKT) CNN's Christina Macfarlane meets Norway's World Cup skiing star Aksel Lund Svindal. January 25, 2013 -- Updated 1057 GMT (1857 HKT) Franz Klammer had few relationship issues with the fearsome mountain run that all skiers want to conquer. January 28, 2013 -- Updated 1442 GMT (2242 HKT) CNN's Christina Macfarlane tests the latest ski technology, including a leading brand's new GPS goggles. January 21, 2013 -- Updated 1149 GMT (1949 HKT) CNN's Christina MacFarlane visits the oldest ski factory in the world, Rossignol. January 21, 2013 -- Updated 1153 GMT (1953 HKT) Safety specialists at Wengen work on-piste can make the difference between life and death for ski racers. January 17, 2013 -- Updated 1430 GMT (2230 HKT) World Cup alpine skier Ivica Kostelic talks to CNN's Alpine Edge series about his sister Janica's influence on his career. January 14, 2013 -- Updated 1642 GMT (0042 HKT) As the winter sports season reaches its peak in Europe and North America so the toll of deaths and injuries will surely mount. January 10, 2013 -- Updated 1404 GMT (2204 HKT) We love the glamor of alpine racing, but do we love it enough to keep watching when skiing's "dark side" is so much more on the edge? December 19, 2012 -- Updated 1308 GMT (2108 HKT) "Mittens don't clap," is how California-based cowbell importer Elisabeth Halvorson explains it. December 20, 2012 -- Updated 1626 GMT (0026 HKT) CNN's Alpine Edge takes a pictorial look at the career of champion Norwegian skier Aksel Lund Svindal. December 18, 2012 -- Updated 1333 GMT (2133 HKT) Lindsey Vonn is taking a break from World Cup competition, but the American insists it is not related to her admission that she suffers from depression. December 19, 2012 -- Updated 1300 GMT (2100 HKT) Buried deep in the French Alps, a tiny 11th-century village has produced some of the most successful -- and wild-spirited -- skiers in racing history. December 13, 2012 -- Updated 1620 GMT (0020 HKT) With the European leg of the Skiing World Cup in full swing, CNN's Alpine Edge takes you inside five of the continent's most high-profile locations. December 16, 2012 -- Updated 1738 GMT (0138 HKT) U.S. star Ted Ligety won the men's World Cup giant slalom at Alta Badia, Italy, after finishing over two seconds quicker than his rivals. December 18, 2012 -- Updated 1147 GMT (1947 HKT) She's laid down the law in female skiing for five years, now Lindsey Vonn may take legal action in her quest to test herself against the men. December 12, 2012 -- Updated 1822 GMT (0222 HKT) For the skier who has it all, which luxurious chalet in which prestigious resort will give you and your loved ones a winter treat fit for royalty? December 15, 2012 -- Updated 2204 GMT (0604 HKT) It's been a long time between wins for Steve Nyman, but the American skier is determined to prove he is over his injury problems. November 30, 2011 -- Updated 1944 GMT (0344 HKT) Two-time Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White of the United States talks to CNN about his career. March 27, 2012 -- Updated 1900 GMT (0300 HKT) U.S. skiing star Lindsey Vonn talks to CNN at the end of a successful season in which she regained the World Cup crown.