ALPINE:

Helie airlifted after Bormio training crash

Dec. 28, 2010 — The Canadian Press 

BORMIO, Italy ― Canadian skier Louis-Pierre Helie suffered a suspected concussion after crashing in a World Cup downhill training session Tuesday.

Helie and American Marco Sullivan were airlifted to a local hospital after separate incidents during training. The Canadian team said Helie, of Berthierville, Que., lost consciousness briefly and was assessed for a possible head injury. He was transferred to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, where he will get a neurological scan.

"We are still waiting for the final results to see if there was any damage to the brain," Canadian team doctor Stephen French said in a statement. "He has been awake and alert since the crash.

"Louis-Pierre has had a spectacular season and he is in extremely good shape, which might be one of the reasons why he is responding so well after his accident. He will be undergoing tests in Innsbruck, there is a medical staff with him and he has been monitored the whole time. For the time being, we do not have a clear idea of his return to competition."

Helie's crash was the more serious of the two as it involved a hard landing. He was picked up from the icy Stelvio course by a helicopter.

Sullivan, the first skier out of the gate, lost control while landing a jump midway down. He eventually got up and skied down under his own power, and then was brought by helicopter to a hospital in Sondalo.

Sullivan was being checked for head injuries but appeared to suffer no broken bones or other injuries.

Later, organizers said both skiers were airlifted to the Innsbruck hospital since it specializes in dealing with head injuries.

Austrian Klaus Kroell posted the fastest time of 2 minutes, 1.56 seconds. Robbie Dixon of Whistler, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing seventh in 2:03.16.

According to U.S. team medical director Kyle Wilkens, Sullivan was conscious and alert but will remain in hospital for further observation.

With Sullivan almost certain to miss Wednesday's race, it's another blow to a U.S. squad already missing two other downhillers. Andrew Weibrecht is skipping this race after dislocating his left shoulder in training last week, and Erik Fisher has a bruised knee after hooking a downhill gate in Val Gardena earlier this month. S-Magazine

Bormio men's World Cup downhill training No. 2. results