"She's okay," a team spokesman said after Vonn lost her balance, twisted and careered into the safety netting.

The downhill gold medallist, who also won a bronze in super-G, got back to her feet and skied down the side of the hill.

Team mate Julia Mancuso, the defending Olympic champion, was next out of the start hut and was released while Vonn was still being attended to.

Her run was halted and she was allowed a re-start.