ROSA KHUTOR, Russia, February 15 (R-Sport) — A Russian freestyle skier has suffered a broken back in a training crash in the mountains above Sochi, a source told R-Sport on Saturday.
Skicross racer Maria Komissarova sustained the injury while training at the PSX Olympic skicross venue at Rosa Khutor Extreme Park, the Russian Freestyle Federation said earlier.
A source close to the situation told R-Sport the injury was a fracture of the spine with a dislocation.
"The character of the injury doesn't allow for her transportation to Moscow," the source said. "Now doctors will decide what to do further but an urgent operation with be carried out at Krasnaya Polyana hospital," the source added.
The 23-year-old's best career result came with second place at a World Cup event in 2012, but she was not expected to be a medal contender in the women's ski cross competition Friday. The federation has not commented on the nature of the injury other than to say it is "serious" and that Komissarova is ruled out of competition.
So far in the February 7-23 Sochi Olympics, serious injuries have been rare. A track worker broke both legs when hit by a non-competition bobsled Thursday, and a Russian ski jumper broke two ribs in a training crash Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Canadian slopestyle skier Yuki Tsubota suffered a broken jaw when her own knee struck her in the face during a crash in the final of her competition.
