By Peter Q. Graves

Count this as a major blow to one of the world's most talented cross-country skiers preparing for Olympics in Vancouver. 23-year-old Dario Cologna, of the Swiss National Team and last year's FIS Overall World Cup winner, has suffered a training injury to muscles--reportedly hamstrings--during a session of sprint training at a camp in Andermatt. It is expected that, Cologna, the first Swiss xc skier to ever win the Overall FIS World Cup tour will be in rehab for at least six weeks. This is poor timing for this injury in that this is an important transitional time from roller skiing to getting on snow.

While this is certainly a blow, Cologna should have a full recovery. The FIS Cross-Country World Cup season starts November 21 in Beitostoelen, Norway.

Image by GEPA