Mark Bridgwater was planning to spend next month in Italy, competing in the 2006 Turin Olympics. Instead, he’ll be recovering from knee reconstruction surgery after an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament on the slopes of Hunter Mountain, New York, last week ended his Olympic dreams.
In other skiing news, Benjamin Raich, of Austria, won a World Cup giant slalom, the last before next month’s Olympics, overtaking Daron Rahlves atop the overall standings. This was Raich’s second straight giant slalom win.
Bode Miller, who is the overall champion, finished 14th.
The U.S. Olympic team will be announced Jan. 25. BodeMiller, Daron Rahlves and Erik Schlopy have qualified for the giant slalom squad. The last spot will be filled by Ted Ligety or James Cochran.
