{allcanada} Canadian skier airlifted to hospital

 

BORMIO, Italy -- Canadian skier Louis-Pierre Helie and American Marco Sullivan were both airlifted to a local hospital after crashing in a World Cup downhill training session Tuesday.

Helie's crash was more serious, involving a hard landing, and the native of Berthierville, Que., was picked up from the icy Stelvio course by a helicopter.

The Canadian team said he suffered a head injury. Local organizers said Helie briefly lost consciousness then woke up during the flight to the hospital, adding he also twisted his left knee.

Later, organizers said arrangements were being made to airlift both skiers to a hospital in Innsbruck, Austria, that specializes in dealing with head injuries.

Sullivan, the first skier out of the gate, lost control while landing a jump midway down. He eventually got up and skied down under his own power, and then was brought by helicopter to a hospital in Sondalo.

Sullivan was on the verge of losing consciousness but then recovered, organizers said, adding he had no significant injuries.

Austrian Klaus Kroell posted the fastest time of two minutes 1.56 seconds. Robbie Dixon of Whistler, B.C., was the top Canadian, finishing seventh in 2:03.16.

If Sullivan misses Wednesday's race, it will be another blow to a U.S. squad already missing two other downhillers.

Andrew Weibrecht is skipping this race after dislocating his left shoulder in training last week, and Erik Fisher has a bruised knee after hooking a downhill gate in Val Gardena earlier this month.

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