Olympic gold medalist Lindsey Vonn suffered a partially torn ACL in her surgically repaired right knee during a crash while training at U.S. Ski Team Speed Center at Copper Mountain, Colo., on Tuesday.

“It’s always disappointing when any athlete gets injured,” women’s speed team head coach Chip White said in a phone interview Wednesday. “I love the sport, but I hate the sport when anybody gets injured.”

With 77 days remaining before opening ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, Vonn’s ability to return to competition in time may be in question.

---

---

It will largely depend on the extent of the tear, Nathan DeGraaf, a physical therapist with Avalanche Physical Therapy in Breckenridge, said.

Doctors and ski team officials have yet to release the extent of the tear.

---

---

In an email describing the injury, Vonn’s publicist, Lewis Kay, said that Vonn “sustained a mild strain to her right knee, a partial tear to her right ACL, minor facial abrasions and scapular contusions [bruised shoulder] from her fall.”

The statement also said going forward, Vonn “needs to rest for a few days and then will pursue aggressive physical therapy.”

No timetable has been given for her return to training or competition.

Team spokesperson Tom Kelly said in an email that U.S. Ski team medical director Kyle Wilkens reported her response to therapy would determine the timetable for her return.

Prior to the accident Vonn was in the process of recovering from a torn ACL and MCL, an injury sustained in February during competition at the world championships in Austria.

Prior to Tuesday’s crash, team physician and Vail Summit Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bill Sterett said that Vonn was ahead of schedule in her recovery.

After the accident on Tuesday, Vonn was taken from the slope on a ski patrol sled. She was seen walking with the assistance of coaches at the base of the slope, and then reportedly evaluated by Dr. Sterett, who operated on Vonn’s torn ACL and MCL earlier this year.

Vonn had returned to snow in September, then resumed downhill training earlier this month.

When asked about the condition of her knee at a team naming ceremony at Copper Mountain, Nov. 8, she said, “I’m doing awesome.”

Vonn’s Olympics hopes

Vonn had planned to make her return to competition next week at the World Cup races in Beaver Creek after opting out of earlier competition in Soelden, Austria, as a precaution. She had said she wasn’t ready yet. With the setback, Vonn competing next week is unlikely. Considering that this season’s World Cup results are a major factor in U.S. Olympic team selection, her return to the Olympics would also appear to be questionable. However, women’s speed team coach Chip White explained that there is more to the selection process than this season’s race results.

“Obviously her previous performances come into consideration going forward,” he said.

White had yet to speak with Dr. Sterett and did not have a timetable for her recovery, but described Vonn as a “true champion” and had confidence in her ability to recover.

“In general she tends to come back quickly because of her fitness level,” he said.

Of her Olympic chances, he explained that two of the four spots she would contend for are based on this season’s race results, but “two spots are picked on coach’s discretion.”

As one of the most decorated skiers of all-time, Vonn’s space on the Olympic team would appear to be secure assuming she can recover in time.