Lindsey Vonn crashed out on her opening race at the FIS Alpine Ski World Championships, which represents the final event of her illustrious career.

Three-time Olympic medallist Vonn, who will retire following the championships in Are, clipped a gate while airborne during her super-G run and landed on her front before sliding into the netting at the side of the course.

The American eventually returned to her feet and skied to the finish, earning resounding applause as she crossed the line.

Vonn, who has won 82 World Cup races - second only to Ingemar Stenmark on the all-time list - and seven world championships medals, is scheduled to take to the slopes for the last time on Sunday in the downhill.

OUCH!! @lindseyvonn goes through the panel and crashes hard. DNF. But she’s standing and thankfully OK. @Are2019 #are2019

— U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team (@usskiteam) February 5, 2019

The 34-year-old initially intended to retire at the end of this season, but a knee injury sustained in a super-G training run in November led to her changing her plans to have one final outing at Lake Louise.

However, Vonn struggled upon her return and last week revealed the pain of racing had become too much for her to continue beyond the event in Are.

"I have always pushed the limits of ski racing and it has allowed me to have amazing success but also dramatic crashes. I have never wanted the storyline of my career to be about injuries and because of that I decided not to tell anyone that I underwent surgery this past spring," said Vonn when announcing her retirement.

"A large portion of cartilage that had delaminated from my bone was removed. My crash in Lake Louise last year was much more painful than I let on, but I continued to race because I wanted to win a medal in the Olympics for my late grandfather.

"Again, I rehabbed my way back this summer and I felt better than I had in a long time. Then I crashed in Copper [Mountain] this November and injured my left knee, tearing my LCL plus sustaining three fractures. Despite extensive therapy, training and a knee brace, I am not able make the turns necessary to compete the way I know I can.

"My body is broken beyond repair and it isn't letting me have the final season I dreamed of. My body is screaming at me to STOP and it's time for me to listen."

The start of Tuesday's super-G was moved to the reserve position due to strong winds at the top of the run.