Sunday saw jubilation for one Canadian skier and heartbreak for another.
After a fantastic 2009 season, there will be no Olympics for John Kucera. The 25 year-old Calgarian took a fall in the World Cup Super Giant Slalom yesterday at Lake Louise, and broke the tibia and fibula in his left leg. Alpine Canada Medical Director Dr. Christopher Irving confirmed the serious injuries last night.
I first interviewed Kucera from his hotel room in France following his victory two years ago in the Super Giant Slalom at Lake Louise. Through the interview, he told me how surprised he was to have instant success at the international stage.
The son of Czech immigrants, Kucera started skiing before he was two years of age, and progressed rapidly through the Calgary Alpine Racing Club at Canada Olympic Park.
Kucera, was considered a medal contender for Canada after winning the World Championship in the men's downhill in Val D'Isere, France.
Kucera's crash was the second major injury in the last 48 hours. American T.J. Lanning crashed and needed help from a helicopter in the men's downhill Saturday.
The race was won however by Vancouver's Manuel Osborne-Paradis, who won his second World Cup race yesterday. His first came in Kvitfjell, Norway back in March.
Osborne-Paradis posted a time of 1:32.93, followed by two Austrian veterans-- Benjamin Raich (1:33.17) and Michael Walchhofer (1:33.55).
It was a great day for two other Canadians-- Erik Guay of Montreal and sophomore Robbie Dixon of North Vancouver. Both Guay and Dixon rounded out the top 5.
With the loss of Kucera, more will be expected of Osborne-Paradis, Guay and Dixon, as the World Cup Skiing season continues and the Olympics arrive.
Let's just hope everybody else is 100% healthy come the time of the Olympics.
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