Didier Cuche's terrible fall two weeks before the Olympics

Didier Cuche, 35, crashed during the giant slalom in Kranjska Gora. Eleventh after the first run, he was about to take the lead in the provisional standings before losing his grip two gates before the end of the slalom. "I let go of the supports too quickly and I was late. It was quite violent." he says. And seeing the video of his fall, we're inclined to believe him…

He suffered a fracture of the first phalanx of his right thumb but hopes to compete in the Olympic Games. "The fracture will be reduced. For the Olympics, it remains open. We'll see how the operation goes and how the protections work.", explained the super-G world champion.
Reassuring his supporters, he added: "We must not give up. I will drive to Zurich where I will have an operation tomorrow morning." He will be at the Schulthess Clinic in the hands of Dr. Walter Frey.

American Ted Ligety celebrated his third consecutive victory in Kranjska Gora in the giant slalom.
On the Swiss side, Marc Berthod, who finished 13th, will certainly be at the Vancouver Olympics. Sandro Viletta, in 21st place, still needs to finish in the top 15 to secure his Olympic spot in the discipline, and Silvan Zurbriggen finished 25th.