Brian Joubert (FRA) at NHK Trophy.
Photo: AP/Koji Sasahara
NHK Trophy gold medalist Brian Joubert has withdrawn from next week's Grand Prix Final, according to the French Federation for Ice Sports. He sustained an injury yesterday in training on the landing of a triple lutz, cutting his right foot. The cut was deep enough to sever a tendon. Joubert needed immediate surgery to repair it.
It remains to be seen how much time it will require for Joubert to recover and resume training. But with fewer than three months left until the Olympics in Vancouver, this injury will be a major setback for the 2007 World champion, who had found his comfort zone in his win at NHK Trophy three weeks ago. He finished sixth at the 2006 Olympics in Torino, but has medaled in each of the four World championships since.
In Joubert's absence, the sixth spot in the Grand Prix Final will be taken by the first substitute, 2008 European champion Tomas Verner.
UPDATE: The surgery to repair his injured right foot was successful. The Associated Press reports that Joubert is hoping to return to competition as early as the French Championships in mid-December.
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