SAN SICARIO, Italy — American gold medal contender Lindsey Kildow crashed on her downhill training run and was taken down the mountain on a stretcher Monday, moments after defending Olympic champion Carole Montillet-Carles was also carried off following a crash during her run.

The 21-year-old Kildow lost control, went airborne and slammed hard to the course, writhing in pain as medical personnel rushed to her aid. As she reached the bottom of the mountain in a toboggan her legs were splayed and she was sobbing.

The extent of her injuries was not immediately known, and a U.S. Ski Team spokesman and spokeswoman could not be reached for comment.

Kildow won two downhills on the World Cup this year and was ranked No. 2 on the circuit.

Kildow's crash happened just eight skiers after Montillet-Carles of France lost control during a jump midway through her run and crashed into the protective fencing. She landed on her back and her head slammed onto the snow.

Montillet-Carles, 32, appeared to be conscious, though no further details of her condition were immediately available.