Alisa Camplin’s quest for back-to-back Winter Olympic gold medals has been disrupted by a water jump training accident in the United States.
Alisa Camplin’s quest for back-to-back Winter Olympic gold medals has been disrupted by a water jump training accident in the United States.
The 30-year-old aerial skier has torn the rehabilitated anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee while practising a new jump at the Olympic Training Centre in Lake Placid, New York. Camplin has returned to Melbourne for an MRI and to consult orthopaedic surgeons to assess the extent of the damage.
The Salt Lake 2002 gold medallist made a successful comeback to competition at the Mt Buller World Aerials in September, following rehabilitation from a torn ACL sustained on the water ramp in Park City, Utah, in October 2004.
She finished fourth in the opening Mt Buller event, a result that met the qualifying standard for the 2006 Australian Olympic team.
In the latest incident, Camplin was working on a new quad twisting double somersault in an effort to maintain her competitiveness with reigning world champion and Torino gold medal favourite Nina Li of China.
Although a full examination of the knee is yet to be carried out, early indications are that the damage to the ACL may be significant.
“This is obviously very disappointing for Alisa, but she is remaining very positive that her Olympic dream is not over,” said 2006 Winter Olympic team Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman.
“It’s too early to comment on the outcome. The injury needs to be fully assessed and then the options weighed up as to the best way to get Alisa to Torino.
“We know she is tough and has a great fighting spirit. She’s certainly overcome injury problems in the past, so we are hoping that where there’s a will, there’s a way on this occasion as well.”
Camplin will consult with Olympic Winter Institute doctor Peter Braun and orthopaedic surgeons over the next few days to canvas her options, including the allograft donor ligament surgery that team-mate Lydia Ierodiaconou had earlier this year.
Prior to the accident Camplin was scheduled to complete three more weeks of water jump training before flying home to promote her autobiography High Flyer, released in Australia this week.
The 30-year-old aerial skier has torn the rehabilitated anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee while practising a new jump at the Olympic Training Centre in Lake Placid, New York. Camplin has returned to Melbourne for an MRI and to consult orthopaedic surgeons to assess the extent of the damage.
The Salt Lake 2002 gold medallist made a successful comeback to competition at the Mt Buller World Aerials in September, following rehabilitation from a torn ACL sustained on the water ramp in Park City, Utah, in October 2004.
She finished fourth in the opening Mt Buller event, a result that met the qualifying standard for the 2006 Australian Olympic team.
In the latest incident, Camplin was working on a new quad twisting double somersault in an effort to maintain her competitiveness with reigning world champion and Torino gold medal favourite Nina Li of China.
Although a full examination of the knee is yet to be carried out, early indications are that the damage to the ACL may be significant.
“This is obviously very disappointing for Alisa, but she is remaining very positive that her Olympic dream is not over,” said 2006 Winter Olympic team Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman.
“It’s too early to comment on the outcome. The injury needs to be fully assessed and then the options weighed up as to the best way to get Alisa to Torino.
“We know she is tough and has a great fighting spirit. She’s certainly overcome injury problems in the past, so we are hoping that where there’s a will, there’s a way on this occasion as well.”
Camplin will consult with Olympic Winter Institute doctor Peter Braun and orthopaedic surgeons over the next few days to canvas her options, including the allograft donor ligament surgery that team-mate Lydia Ierodiaconou had earlier this year.
Prior to the accident Camplin was scheduled to complete three more weeks of water jump training before flying home to promote her autobiography High Flyer, released in Australia this week.
