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Brydon sidelined with another knee injury

Emily Brydon of Fernie, B.C.

Emily Brydon of Fernie, B.C., one of the youngest and most talented athletes on the Canadian Alpine Ski Team, will likely miss the rest of the competitive season, including the 2002 Winter Olympics, after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while training for the super-G at Copper Mountain, Colo. on Sunday, Nov. 11.

The 21-year-old skier underwent MRI tests at the Steadman Hawkins Clinic in Vail, Colorado, which confirmed the extent of the injury. She was flown to Vancouver on Tuesday where she underwent surgery at the University of British Columbia Sports Medicine Clinic.

Unfortunately Surgeon Dr. Pat McConkie and Brydon already knew each other, having met less than a year ago. Brydon underwent surgery last February for a season-ending injury to her ACL, medial collateral ligament and medial meniscus in her right knee after a fall in the women’s downhill at the world championships in St. Anton, Austria. A patch of soft snow left over from a two day snow storm was blamed in that crash.

Prior to February, Brydon had secured a bronze medal in St. Moritz and cracked the top 10 on three other occasions and the top 15 no fewer than eight times. Her performance, which earned her Canadian Junior Athlete of the Year honours, also earned her a berth in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

After undergoing reconstructive surgery, she spent six months rehabilitating her knee to be able to compete again.

There is no word on how long this latest injury will take to rehabilitate, but there is a good chance Brydon will miss the rest of the season. Doctor’s won’t be able to recommend a recovery time until a post-operative reassessment can be conducted.