One jumper’s sorrow is another one’s joy. Canada’s Alexandra Pretorius is injured and cannot compete in the Olympics. Instead Norway’s Gyda Enger was promoted to the start list.
Alexandra Pretorius, who is the best Canadian ski jumper with two Grand Prix wins, tore her ACL in August, when she fell ahead of the Grand Prix in Courchevel. Since she recovered from this injury and did not participate in any international competitions. Now, in the final training camp before the Olympics, this injury reflared. “Despite all my hard work a recent event has resulted in a tragic reinjured knee which will not recover in time for Sochi,” Pretorius said in a press release published on olympic.ca. “Although this is heartbreaking news I will be cheering on all Canadians and I look forward to having my chance at the next Winter Olympic Games.”
Canada decided not to nominate another jumper for Pretorius, and just compete with a two- strong team, consisting of Atsuko Tanaka and Taylor Henrich. Following the national quota list of the International Ski Federation, the place on the start list rejected by Canada was offered to Austria first, but as Austria declined to nominate an additional athlete, finally given to Norway. Norway, that now could go with four but three jumpers, nominated Gyda Enger for this additional place. Enger is currently 32nd in the overall World Cup. Next to Enger the Norwegian team will consist of Line Jahr, Maren Lundby and Helena Olsson-Smeby. Jumping pioneer Anette Sagen, who played a key role in making Ladies Ski Jumping an Olympic sports, is currently only 42nd in the World Cup and so not part of the team.
UPDATED: 2014-02-03 19:50:00