German Stechert undergoes knee surgery following downhill crash

Gina Stechert’s crash in Altenmarkt (GEPA/Harald Steiner)

German Gina Stechert, who injured her left knee in the World Cup downhill in Altenmarkt on Saturday (Jan. 11), underwent surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon Sunday at Orthopaedic Surgery Munich (OCM).

The 23-year-old speed skier scored one World Cup point this season with a 30th-place finish in the Val d’Isere downhill, but she did not start in Lake Louise and did not finish in Altenmarkt after crashing. Her previous best result was 11th in the 2012 Val d’Isere downhill, and she won the Tarvisio downhill in 2009.

Dr. Hermann Mayr of the German national team staff diagnosed a tear of the patellar tendon in the left knee. During the one-hour operation, Dr. Mayr repaired the torn tendon with a backup anchor.

“The operation went very well,” said Dr. Mayr. “Gina Stechert is expected to remain a few days in the hospital before she can start with the first rehabilitation. Assuming a favorable healing process, Gina can start with the snow training again in about six months.”

“That this injury happened before the Olympic Games, is very, very annoying,” remarked Stechert. “I’ve seen some rehabilitation (in the past). So I know what will happen to me, and what I have to do. My goal is to be in top shape in the World Cup Winter 2015 again.”

Release courtesy of DSV