NAKISKA, ALTA. (Dec. 6, 2011) Canadas Larisa Yurkiw completed a courageous comeback from a long-term leg injury on Tuesday at a Nor-Am Cup super-G race in Nakiska, Alta.
The 23-year-old from Owen Sound who hasnt skied competitively since Dec. 2009, didnt make the return shed hoped for when she skied off the course and did not finish. But the 2008 Junior World Ski Championships silver medallist saw the irony of the latest roadblock in what has been a long and challenging road to recovery.
If Id won or something spectacular had happened it would be too fairytale-esque. Nothing in the last two years has been like that, said Yurkiw, who hurt her left knee during a training run in Val d’Isre, France tearing the anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments, her patellar tendon and the lateral and medial meniscus.
Ill just keep going. Its Day 1 of the next chapter. I race Wednesday and Thursday, which is nice. I dont have too much time to think about everything!
Meeting Yurkiw at the finish line in Nakiska was her mom Lynda, who travelled from Owen Sound to be by her daughters side this week.
Im extremely proud, said Lynda, after embracing her daughter. Shes been through a lot these last two years and particularly leading up to this. Her last experience of skiing was traumatic, so she has all that to deal with over this next little while.
We are all disappointed that the first race wasnt a finish but we talked last night and she knew she would feel different tonight compared to last night because shes on the road back. Im so glad to be here with her.
Starting 25th, Yurkiw pushed out of the start gate but skied out when she misjudged the first pitch.
We trained here on Friday and I just expected it to be the same, she said. That was a big tactical error on my part.
Yurkiw had to wait a long time to make her comeback, but shell get right back at it in Wednesdays second Nor-Am Cup super-G race in Nakiska.
Im hoping to draw the first bib. Just trust the inspection and go, said Yurkiw. Yesterday I was so antsy. Ive been so excited for the last couple of weeks and then yesterday I was like, Its here. Its right here, you know. I had to ceremoniously say goodbye to the last two years. Its kind of like my baby.
Tuesdays womens super-G race was won by Russias Maria Bedareva in a time of one minute, 5.73 seconds. Her teammate, Elena Prosteva, was second (1:06.54) and Austrias Greta Small was third (1:06.68). Canadian Alpine Ski Team member Madison Irwin, of Toronto, Ont., was fourth (1:06.73) and womens prospect training group member Julia Roth, of Waterloo, Ont., was fifth (1:07.13). John Kucera, of Calgary, Alta., who is also coming back from a long-term injury, was one of the forerunners.
Im really happy, said Irwin. I havent even been training speed.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Dec. 6, 2011 Nor-Am Cup Nakiska, Alta. womens super-G
According to unofficial results, Ryan Semple, of Mont-Tremblant, Que., was the top Canadian in the mens Nor-Am Cup super-G, finishing sixth in 1:04.63. The USAs Erik Fisher and Ryan Cochran-Siegle tied for first (1:04.06) and Germanys Philipp Zepnik was third (1:04.32).
I just wanted to ski aggressively and take some risks and I did that, said Semple. It was a little scrappy in sections but I achieved my objectives.
UNOFFICIAL RESULTS – Dec. 6, 2011 Nor-Am Cup Nakiska, Alta. mens super-G
The action continues Wednesday with mens and womens super-G races. For live timing, go to: http://www.canskilive.com/
