Canada's Guay pulls out of Finals downhill with back injury

By Published On: March 14th, 2006Comments Off on Canada's Guay pulls out of Finals downhill with back injury

Canada’s Guay pulls out of Finals downhill with back injury{mosimage}ARE, Sweden Erik Guay, who recovered from a leg injury to place fourth in the Olympic super G race, was forced to pull out of the World Cup Finals’ single and mandatory downhill training run Tuesday due to back pains. Guay, the only Canadian set to partake in the upcoming downhill competition in Sweden, injured his lower back while training giant slalom on Saturday.

‘Erik pinched a nerve in a routine training session last weekend’ confirmed Paul Kristofic, the speed team’s assistant coach. ‘He didn’t fall, nor did he find himself in an awkward position. He simply skied a few giant slalom gates and then went out of the course when he felt discomfort in his lower back.’

Kristofic said the team decided to pull Guay from the downhill and give him the two extra days to recover for the super G.

‘Right now, our plan is to put Erik on an intense physiotherapy program and to re-evaluate his status on a daily basis’ added Kristofic. ‘Our objective is to stabilize and improve the condition of his back before the super G. Depending on how things progress, we will make a decision on the morning of the race.’

Ranked ninth in downhill with 221 points and fourth in super G with 204 points in the overall World Cup standings, Guay was eligible to compete in both disciplines at the World Cup Finals.

The World Cup Finals in Are are held on the site of the 2007 World Championships. The races are set to conclude March 19 with a Team event.

– Alpine Canada Alpin

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About the Author: Pete Rugh