TORINO: Alpine: 12 days after knee injury, Koznick gets back on snow

By Published On: February 16th, 2006Comments Off on TORINO: Alpine: 12 days after knee injury, Koznick gets back on snow

TORINO: Alpine: 12 days after knee injury, Koznick gets back on snow{mosimage}Kristina Koznick needed crutches to get to the ski hill Thursday, but once she arrived there, she was able to take three runs — her first time on snow since injuring her knee almost two weeks ago at Ofterschwang, Germany.

The 30-year-old Minnesotan, who is in her final season of elite competition, freeskied on a mellow hill Thursday and was extremely relieved to feel ‘barely any pain’ from the bruises atop her tibia and fibia. She wore a knee brace.

‘I kind of have a perma-grin’ said a delighted Koznick, reached via cell phone after the short training session. ‘It’s physically strong, and feels stable, just more awkward than anything else. Mostly just a different feeling. What I need to do is get used to it.’

Koznick said a partially torn ACL has presented her with fewer problems than the deep bone bruising. ‘The knee is probably used to that, not having ACL support’ she said. ‘Now it’s the fine line of pushing it enough that I trust it, but not so much that I make it swell and lose range of motion.’

She hoping to compete in the women’s slalom Feb. 22. Two fourth-place finishes in recent World Cup slaloms make her the best hope for an American medal in that event. Her injury occurred on Feb. 4.

Other Americans who have qualified for the women’s slalom are Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Kildow, although Mancuso may skip the event to train for giant slalom. Not yet named to the team are Resi Stiegler and Sarah Schleper.

Only four American women will get to start. Schelper has been named to the giant slalom squad. Stiegler will race the combined.

Koznick told Ski Racing in the fall that if Bode Miller or anyone else were to start a rival tour to the FIS World Cup, she would consider joining up. ‘I think skiing could use a new set of rules’ she said.

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About the Author: Pete Rugh