Stephanie Brunner re-injures left knee, ending season
Jan 11, 2019·Alpine Skiing
Austrian skier Stephanie Brunner, who returned this October from the first serious injury of her career to have her best-ever results, re-injured her left knee during giant slalom training in Pozza di Fassa on Friday ahead of the Kronplatz (ITA) World Cup. An MRI in Innsbruck revealed a torn ACL and meniscus damage, the same injury she sustained during the Austrian national championships in March of 2018.
Brunner skied to her first World Cup podium in third place at the Killington giant slalom this November and had three other top-six GS finishes this winter. Her parallel form was also coming on strong as she finished sixth in the St. Moritz parallel slalom after being the third-fastest qualifier earlier in the day. She is currently ranked sixth in the giant slalom standings and 23rd in the slalom standings for the season.
The 24-year-old will undergo surgery at the Privatklinik Hochrum on Saturday performed by team surgeon Dr. Christian Fink.
"For sure it's bitter, but it is what it is and I'm looking forward positively. I've been able to come back strong before and will do it a second time," Brunner remarked.
Release courtesy of ÖSV
