Lindsey Vonn finished a World Cup super-G race in extreme pain on Saturday and was treated by race doctors for an apparent back injury.

The American star crossed the finish line in obvious distress, almost one second behind the then-leader, and slumped to the snow.

Vonn's tentative run after jarring her back early on placed her 24th, trailing 1.56 seconds behind the surprise winner, Jasmine Flury of Switzerland. The race was shortened due to strong winds higher up the mountain.

Lindsey Vonn finished a World Cup super-G race in extreme pain on Saturday (pictured) and was treated by race doctors for an apparent back injury

The American star crossed the finish line in obvious distress, almost one second behind the then-leader, and slumped to the snow (pictured)

Vonn (pictured, November 2017) stayed in the finish house to be treated and, one hour later, limped slowly into a waiting car to be driven from the St Moritz course

Vonn stayed in the finish house to be treated and, one hour later, limped slowly into a waiting car to be driven from the St Moritz, Switzerland, course.

Minutes earlier, her father Alan Kildow told The Associated Press his daughter was 'okay'.

In a race interrupted several times by gusts lifting flurries of snow, Vonn wore the No 4 bib and was left standing at the start gate during the first delay of about three minutes. She stayed warm with a thick jacket draped on her shoulders.

Vonn did not speak with media or fans before getting into the car, and wore the hood of a United States team jacket up to shield her face from television cameras tracking her. An update on her injury is expected later Saturday on her social media accounts.

Before leaving, Vonn stopped to congratulate Flury standing in the leader's box.

The 24-year-old Swiss, who is ranked in the national Alpine team's third-tier category, had a career-best finish of fifth in World Cup races before Saturday.

Vonn (pictured, Saturday) did not speak with media or fans before getting into the car, and wore the hood of a United States team jacket up to shield her face from television cameras tracking her

Vonn (pictured, Saturday) is one of the most decorated American skiers of all time, taking gold in the downhill at the 2010 Games in Vancouver and winning four overall World Cup titles

Starting No 14, Flury raced down in bright sunshine and little wind to be 0.10 seconds faster than teammate Michelle Gisin, who wore start bib No 12.

'I really had great conditions. Other athletes they had not lots of sun like I had,' Flury told the AP. 'The snow conditions were so good, you just have to go, go, go.'

Vonn is one of the most decorated American skiers of all time, taking gold in the downhill at the 2010 Games in Vancouver and winning four overall World Cup titles.

The skiing star made headlines this week after she said she would 'represent the people of the United States' at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics and 'not the president'.

Vonn also said she would not visit the White House as part of the traditional appearance by all American Olympians.