Reigning men’s aerials gold medallist, Ales Valenta injured his knee at training, casting doubt on his chances of another Olympic medal.
Reigning men’s aerials gold medallist, Ales Valenta of the Czech Republic injured his knee while training at Sauze d’Oulx, casting doubt on his chances of another Olympic medal.
“I already stretched it two weeks ago and now I just stretched it again,” Valenta said.
“It’s the inside ligament. It’s pretty bad right now, so I’ll have to see.”
Valenta was attempting a triple rotation jump when he landed heavily and twisted his knee midway down the outrun of the course.
His right ski caught an edge and went sideways, jarring his knee as he fell. He was helped off the course by two aides.
The men’s aerials qualifying round is six days away on 20 February (Day 10).
Australia will not be represented in the men’s aerials at Torino 2006, but has a class field of four female aerialists all capable of winning a medal – Alisa Camplin (Salt Lake City 2002 gold medallist), Lydia Ierodiaconou, Jacqui Cooper and Liz Gardner.
Tracy Parish/AOC
Torino