May be back for Olympics
Emily Brydon, 21, one of Canada’s strongest up and coming skiers, may be back in time for the 2002 winter Olympics after undergoing knee surgery to repair a damaged anterior cruciate ligament on Nov. 14.
According to surgeon Dr. Pat McConkie, the ACL in her left knee was reconstructed successfully, although Brydon remained in Vancouver for several days for further assessment and rest before returning to Calgary to begin her rehabilitation at the National Sports Centre.
Although it was feared that the injury would sideline the Fernie skier for the World Cup season, McConkie feels her knee could be ready to race in two months.
"As far as the Olympics are concerned, we’re planning that she’s going to be there," said McConkie. "If she can move through this without losing too much in the way of muscle strength… I’m optimistic that she’ll be able to ski technical at the Games."
The Nov. 14 surgery was Brydon’s second in the last 10 months. She underwent reconstructive surgery on her right knee in February after she tore her ACL, medial collateral ligament and media meniscus at the downhill at the world championships in St. Anton, Austria. After six months of rehabilitation, however, she was back on skis and back in form.
With a bronze medal in the World Cup in St. Moritz last winter, and three other top 10 finishes, Brydon has already qualified for the 2002 Winter Games.
