Nicole Hosp of Austria out for season after crash in season opener

Hosp crashes, out for season with knee injury

SOELDEN, Austria — Former overall World Cup winner Nicole Hosp will miss the rest of the season after crashing and injuring her right knee in the opening race.

The Austrian team says Hosp was airlifted by helicopter Saturday off the Rettenbach glacier to a hospital in nearby Innsbruck, where she had ligament surgery on her right knee.

Hosp lost control on the upper section of the giant slalom course and slid downhill headfirst for about 50 yards before coming to a stop.

In January, the 2007 overall winner broke the upper part of her shinbone and tore ligaments in her left knee in a crash in Zagreb, Croatia.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SOELDEN, Austria (AP) — Austrian skier Nicole Hosp has injured her right knee in the opening race of the ski season.

Hosp lost control on the upper section of the course Saturday and slid downhill headfirst for about 54 yards before coming to a stop. She was airlifted on a stretcher by helicopter to an Innsbruck hospital, where team officials said she was being treated for a “severe” knee injury.

In January, the 2006-07 World Cup overall winner broke the upper part of her shinbone and tore ligaments in her left knee in a crash in Zagreb, Croatia.