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Lasse Kjus returns home

Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Jan. 29th - Norway's veteran Lasse Kjus decided today to skip the three speed races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen because of strong pains at his right knee. He returned home further medical examinations. The 33-year-old racer, winner last week of the first downhill in Kitzbühel, could not conclude his training run on Thursday morning because of strong pains at his knee injured last Saturday in Kitzbühel's second downhill race.

"He felt too much pain only a few seconds after the start and he prefered to break up his training run" explained Lars Otto Bjoernland. the media manager of the Norwegian Ski Team. "He felt good coming to Garmisch-Partenkirchen after relaxing a little in the last days and he was surprised by his problem. There is no way he could take any risk on this bumpy and difficult course. It makes more sense to him to take the first plane to Oslo for a more accurate examination of his knee by our specialists," Bjoernland added. "It's just too bad because he could have scored precious points for the overall World Cup. He was in great shape so far and very confident after his succes in Kitzbühel. We don't know yet when he will be able to come back. We first have to see how bad the damages at his knee are".

Kjus injured himself at his right knee in the second downhill in Kitzbühel at the Mausefall jump where he flew more than 80 meters over the course. He felt some pain after his tough landing yet he continued his way down the slope without attacking as hard as he wanted, finishing far from the leaders.
On Sunday, he cruised smoothly through the slalom gates to finish 3rd in the Hahnenkamm combined, which helped him to regain the lead in the overall standings. He already clinched the big Crystal Cup in 1996 and 1999. His won two races this winter, a Super-G in Val Gardena and a downhill in Kitzbühel. He was also two times 3rd in combined in Chamonix and Kitzbühel.

The health problems of Lasse Kjus will favor the ambitions of his main rivals for the overall title, especially Benjamin Raich who will compete in Sunday's Super-G. Raich has a lead of 167 points on USA's Bode Miller.
Hermann Maier and Stephan Eberharter, the brilliant winner on Saturday in Kitzbühel, also have a strong chance to take over the lead in the overall standings this weekend with three strong performances in Garmisch-Partenkirchen.

Earlier this season, Lasse's best friend, Kjetil Aamodt was also sidelined by an injury and his ankle while crashing in Soelden. He aims to come back on the World CUp tour next season.

Patrick Lang