12/22/24
February 18, 2010
French Skier's Olympic Dream Ends in Four Seconds: In the grueling women's downhill Wednesday that was won by American Lindsey Vonn, French skier Marion Rolland fell just four seconds into her run and injured her knee in the process (video; second crash). "Obviously, the morale is not too good," a team spokesman said.
Rolland ruptured her left knee's cruciate ligament, according to the French press.
posted by rcade at 08:43 AM on February 18, 2010
That makes sense. Her second push on her left ski was obviously so painful she just held the left leg in the air and tipped over to avoid putting weight on it again. Fortunately, I have no first hand experience of either, but I believe rupturing your CL feels like getting shot.
posted by JJ at 09:15 AM on February 18, 2010
Thanks to the IOC for removing the video. I'm sure they would have missed out on all sorts of revenue from youtube.
posted by myshtigo at 10:27 AM on February 18, 2010
I've updated the link to the IOC-approved version. The Canadian TV one was better because of the obnoxious announcer reaction.
posted by rcade at 11:01 AM on February 18, 2010
That wasn't the most carnage-ridden race I've ever seen, but for an Olympic race, it was a really high percentage of racers eating it. After watching some of those crashes, particularly Anja Paerson's, it's amazing that there was only one sled -- that landing could have easily cost Paerson both knees. More amazing, she may still compete in the super-combi.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:39 AM on February 18, 2010
I'm with you, lbb ... after one of the crashes, there was a single aide helping the skier get off the course. The poor women was clearly still struggling even with trying to put weight on the one aide. Finally, just as my wife and I simultaneously yelled at the TV "someone get over there and help her!", someone else showed up.
I feel horrible for these athletes who put everything into this - even if they don't expect to podium, they're striving to finish and do well - only to have a split-second miscalculation or fluke end the dreams.
posted by littleLebowski at 12:43 PM on February 18, 2010
Absolutely. Must be even worse than getting a silver medal.
"If I had a pimple, I woulda won!"
posted by JJ at 12:48 PM on February 18, 2010
Rolland ruptured her left knee's cruciate ligament, according to the French press.
Looks like those 3 years of High School French were all for not. I am sure the article was very infomative though.
So did she fall because she was hurt, or get hurt when she fell?
posted by Debo270 at 01:56 PM on February 18, 2010
It looks like she tore it on her third or fourth skate out of the starts - she appears to yell, then all her weight comes off the left leg and she then tips over to the right, and falls down.
At the time, it was a bit confusing, because at first it just looked like a drunk person skiing. From a completely balanced and stable position to just throwing herself over and on the ground. But the replay seems to explain it.
However, in all likelihood this is all Vancouver's fault. The mountain reached up and tripped her. Lousy Canadian mountain.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 02:10 PM on February 18, 2010
The Canadian TV one was better because of the obnoxious announcer reaction.
I was watching the French-Canadian stream, and they were fairly quick to go from amusement to concern.
On the one hand, you have to admire Vonn and Mancuso for just owning that course. On the other hand, the carnage makes you wonder about the intersection of design and conditions. Not that I think the course designers should feel obliged to recreate an Alpine gliders' course for the Olympics, but was that course built with those conditions in mind?
posted by etagloh at 03:43 PM on February 18, 2010
I think you wonder that, perhaps in light of the other issues with the Games, but it's not like any of the competitors were complaining about the course, and it's not like Whistler hasn't hosted numerous World Cup competitions in the past.
I mean, remember Kitzbuehel. That course was a killer.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 04:45 PM on February 18, 2010
True, and it's a mistake to extrapolate from the entire WC season, as opposed to individual races. You certainly can't argue that the course was dumbed down for the wider Olympic field.
posted by etagloh at 06:09 PM on February 18, 2010
I thought the whole point of the downhill, compared to the more technical disciplines, is to find out who can go the fastest and still stay on their skis.
You wanna turn? Try slalom.
posted by owlhouse at 06:13 PM on February 18, 2010
I tried twice to see the video, but after the second fat slob drooling in bed I gave up.
No way I am sitting through commercials online to see a ski crash. Sorry, NBC.
posted by mr_crash_davis at 08:47 PM on February 18, 2010
True, and it's a mistake to extrapolate from the entire WC season, as opposed to individual races. You certainly can't argue that the course was dumbed down for the wider Olympic field.
But it's not a WC course. They had never had a WC race on it, which is kinda sorta in direction violation of FIS procedures.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 09:44 PM on February 18, 2010
I tried twice to see the video, but after the second fat slob drooling in bed I gave up
Summarises my sex life.
posted by owlhouse at 10:24 PM on February 18, 2010
i hate when i do that.
posted by wowjimi at 12:00 AM on February 20, 2010
Love the commentary on the video: "That is not a good start."
I'm so glad we have these commentators. Without them, I'd be lost.