(POGOVOR) Vrnitev Andreje Slokar: Če bi mi poškodba vzela preveč, bi rekla, da je konec. A nismo še tam

Canadian alpine skier Valerie Grenier has undergone surgery for a knee injury sustained during training, ending her season before its official start. The 29-year-old athlete, who was preparing for the World Cup opener in Soelden, Austria, required immediate medical intervention after damaging her right knee. She confirmed via social media that the procedure focused on repairing her anterior cruciate ligament and the medial meniscus. Although she expressed disappointment that her fears had been realized, Grenier stated that the operation went smoothly and that she is highly motivated to begin her rehabilitation process. The injury occurred days ago during a training session in Soelden. This setback marks a difficult turn for Grenier, a three-time World Cup race winner who has twice claimed victory in Kranjska Gora. Her season effectively concluded prior to the first competitive event. While American skier Paula Moltzan celebrated her maiden World Cup win at the opening round, Grenier had already returned to Canada to face the surgeon’s table. She credited Dr. Simard and the team at CEOM for their care, noting that the doctor remained optimistic and satisfied with how the surgery proceeded. Grenier thanked supporters for their messages, stating she feels the love and appreciates the backing more than they realize. She added that she looks forward to returning to the sport she loves. It is currently unclear when she will be able to compete again, though given the severity of the knee damage, a return this season appears unlikely. In related developments regarding recovery timelines, Slovenian skier Andreja Slokar discussed her own gradual return to snow following a long and demanding recovery from a knee injury. Slokar recently completed her first training sessions among slalom gates, which has boosted her optimism compared to weeks prior. Her goal is to compete in the November slalom in Levi, Finland, although she emphasized she would not force a return if her body was not ready. She noted that while she still experiences some pain, her knee no longer swells, a significant improvement over previous months when swelling caused increased discomfort and stalled progress. During her initial seven days back on snow, she skied freely for five days and used a prepared course for two. She successfully navigated the gates without fear, trusting her coach Stefan Costazzi completely. Slokar outlined her preparation plan, which includes several days in Germany at the indoor facility in Wittensburg, followed by potential stints in Val Senales or Scandinavia depending on snow conditions. She stressed the importance of increasing training volume carefully. Regarding her motivation, Slokar said the desire to race remains strong, but she would consider quitting if the injury took too much of a toll physically. However, she insisted they have not reached that point yet. She acknowledged that while winning on training runs is not her primary interest, the ability to perform well in practice builds confidence for competition. Both athletes highlight the challenging nature of recovering from serious knee injuries in professional skiing, where timing and physical readiness are critical factors in determining whether a competitor can resume racing within the current season.