Former Ski and Snowboard Australia Women’s Development skier Tomi Crewes has made a successful return to slalom racing in a citizens’ race in Montgenevre, France.

This was Crewes’ first event since badly injuring her lateral collateral ligament in Canada in January of 2007 in a downhill training run.

The Mt Buller skier returned to training in Canada in November 2007 after knee surgery only to find the lateral collateral ligament detached in late December, forcing her home for further surgery in February 2008.

An extensive rehabilitation program was undertaken under the supervision of the AFL club Melbourne, and during the past two months, Crewes has been training well in France and Italy with Mt Buller Alpine Director Ivan Pacak and his team.

“I’m really happy to have completed the two runs in this slalom event,” Crewes said, “and I’m looking forward to building my speed and technique over the comings months.”

“I have a great team behind me on and off the snow and my knee is feeling great.”