Vonn crashes in 1st run of Olympic giant slalom

<p>WHISTLER, British Columbia — Lindsey Vonn crashed out of the first run of the Olympic giant slalom race Wednesday.</p><p>The American lost control around a right turn in the middle section of the course, got twisted around, landed hard on her left hip and crashed backward into the safety netting.</p><p>After being checked course-side for a few minutes, Vonn got up and skied down to the finish. United States Ski Team spokesman Doug Haney said Vonn banged up her right hand.</p><p>Vonn said she was going for an X-ray on her hand, after which she'll know if she'll race in Friday's slalom, her final event of the games.</p><p>Vonn was just getting over a bruised right shin, having opened her Olympics with gold in downhill and bronze in super-G.</p><p>While giant slalom is usually Vonn's worst discipline, she had posted the fastest split times until her crash.</p><p>"I was hoping for something today," Vonn said.</p><p>American teammate Julia Mancuso was the next skier and had to pull up midway through her run because Vonn was still on the side of the course.</p><p>Mancuso, the defending champion, then had to make her way back up to the top of the course for a later start, and finished 18th. Mancuso appeared disturbed, since starting later usually is tougher with the course deteriorating as one skier after another comes down.</p><p>"I feel terrible, and I hope she understands," Vonn said of her teammate. "I definitely didn't want that to happen."</p>