Beaver Creek, Colorado - World Cup champion Aksel Lund Svindal will likely not ski again this season after his horror crash in down hill training on Tuesday. The Norwegian Svindal suffered a double fracture to his nose, a deep cut in his buttock, and lost several teeth when he lost control at a jump during practice in Beaver Creek. He was subsequently taken to the Vail Valley Medical Centre for surgery.
"The possibility of a comeback to racing this season is more unlikely than likely," said Norway team doctor Ola Ronsen on Sunday in Beaver Creek.
Svindal started the season with two victories and was favourite to lift the overall title. Instead, he will now remain in intensive care to reduce the risk of infection until he is fit to travel to Norway.
Ronsen said he expected Svindal to spend at least another week in hospital.
"We would be delighted if he can return home at the end of the week. But we won't rush a release date."
