ALPINE:

Kucera reinjures left leg in crash at Aspen

Feb. 16, 2011 — Alpine Canada  

ASPEN, Colorado — Canadian Alpine Ski Team racer John Kucera suffered an injury setback Wednesday when he crashed while forerunning in Aspen, Colorado.

The 2009 downhill world champion from Calgary, Alta., reinjured his left tibia, which he originally fractured in November 2009 when he crashed at Lake Louise.

Kucera, 26, is set to return to Calgary, where the injury will be assessed by doctors. It's yet to be determined if he will require surgery.

"I'm kind of shocked," said Kucera, who was forerunning ahead of the men's U.S nationals downhill race in Aspen. "It's a bad luck situation — my ski just popped off.

"The injury is not nearly as severe as last time. I'm going to stay focused on coming back as soon as I can."

Kucera has spent the past few weeks training and forerunning to help him prepare for a return to World Cup competition.

Dr. Stephen French, Alpine Canada medical co-director, said it's too early to say when Kucera will be able to return to competitive ski racing.

"He has reinjured his tibia," said Dr. French. "It's a setback for his return to competition. He's returning to Canada to determine if further surgery will be required."