Team USA skier Heidi Kloser out of Sochi Olympics

Team USA moguls skier Heidi Kloser has been ruled out of the Sochi Olympics after suffering a leg injury during warm-ups before qualification began Thursday.

Kloser, who stood fourth in the World Cup standings entering the Games, tore knee ligaments and broke her femur following a crash on Thursday night, only moments before she was supposed to head to the starting gate.

The 21-year-old had to be helped off the mountain and was taken to the medical clinic in the athletes village for evaluation.

Kloser's father, Mike, told the Denver Post: "I saw an American coach quickly put his skis on and rush down and I thought, 'Oh, no, that's Heidi.'"

American Hannah Kearney, the defending Olympic gold medallist, is currently leading the competition after the first qualifying run.