- Title: AUSTRIA: Alpine skiing-season over for Vonn after super-G crash
- Date: 5th February 2013
- Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (English) ATLE SKAARDAL, CHIEF RACE DIRECTOR WORLD CUP-LADIES, SAYING: "The course was in good shape and the visibility was also very good, so we had no problems except for that injury, of course the other factors were like they are supposed to be for ski-racing."
- Embargoed: 20th February 2013 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Austria
- Country: Austria
- Topics: Accidents,General,Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA34AIA933OR25TZCJHDEW63G35
- Story Text: American Lindsey Vonn suffered a severe knee injury in when she crashed on Tuesday (February 5) in the women's super-G on the opening day of the alpine skiing world championships on Tuesday.
"Lindsey Vonn doesn't want me to give you an exact answer, it's a knee injury, an injury of the ligaments and the American team will decide what will happen in the next days. An operation will be necessary, it's not sure whether in Europe or the US," Dr Christian Kaulfersch, Schladming hospital chief surgeon said.
Vonn left the Schladming hospital in early evening hours for Innsbruck where she is based during ski races.
U.S. team officials are still considering if she should fly back to the United States or remain in Europe for treatment.
A helicopter was called to take the four-times overall World Cup champion to hospital after Vonn had tumbled on the piste halfway down in a race which started three-and-a-half hours behind schedule given the poor visibility.
Vonn hurt her right knee as she nearly somersaulted on the snow and was heard screaming in pain on the side of the course.
"She was going for it, I was on the top section there, and she was doing a good job, she was skiing clean, so yes, she was skiing fast," said the Director of the US Ski Team, Patrick Riml.
She will be out for the remainder of this season but is expected to return to racing for the 2013-14 Audi FIS World Cup season and the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, the statement added.
The American four-times overall World Cup champion tumbled down the piste after a jump halfway down the race, which started three-and-a-half hours behind schedule in poor visibility.
Riml, however, said there'd been no discussion that the race shouldn't go ahead.
"It was a tough race, but it was not unusual, we have had races like this before, the organisers did a very good job getting everything ready with the snow and the rain, and on the top part there was no discussion whatsoever that the race would not be held."
Vonn, who nearly somersaulted across the snow, was heard screaming in pain on the side of the course. She was flown to hospital in Salzburg by helicopter.
Slovenia's Tina Maze won the race ahead of Swiss Lara Gut and Vonn's compatriot Julia Mancuso. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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