SKI CROSS:

Murray goes under the knife, still hopeful for Vancouver

Feb. 2, 2010 — The Canadian Press          ►Photo: Julia Murray (Canada Ski Cross)

VANCOUVER, B.C. — Freestyle skier Julia Murray underwent arthroscopic surgery Tuesday and says she plans to race in the ski cross event at the Winter Olympics.

"If we were going to do the scope it had to be today or there wouldn't be enough time to recover," Murray said in an interview from her home in Whistler, B.C.

"I have full range of motion, so it's looking a lot better. It's exciting to bend my leg the entire way. It's exciting to kick myself in the ass."

Murray tore the ACL, the MCL and the meniscus in her left knee during training in Lake Placid, N.Y., about 10 days ago.

She accompanied the ski cross team to Colorado for the Winter X Games, where they continued with her rehabilitation.

"We got to the point I couldn't get any further, that's why they decided to go in," said Murray.

"They went in there and clipped a part of my meniscus (cartilage) off so I can have full range of motion now. I will have physio twice a day and rehab and look toward the Olympics."

The women's ski cross race is scheduled for Feb. 23 at Cypress Mountain. Murray has until Feb. 18 to decide if she is healthy enough to compete for a medal.

"I have a little while here," she said. "I am going to work as hard as possible. I'm going to stay positive. I think I can do it."

Murray, 21, the daughter of former Crazy Canuck Dave Murray, has been second and third in World Cup races this season. She currently sets fourth in the World Cup ski cross standings.

The injury occurred when Murray was pushed back on her skis landing a jump.

"It's my first injury ever," she said. "It's definitely bad timing."  SRC