German World Cup racer Susanne Riesch sustained a serious knee injury while  training in South America Wednesday (Sept. 14). The 24-year-old slalom specialist and younger sister of reigning World Cup overall champion Maria Hoefl-Riesch, reportedly took a bad fall during a downhill training run.

Riesch is said to have left Nevados de Chillan in Chile headed home to Germany for medical treatment.

Early indications from team coaches are that Riesch will miss at least the first few months of the upcoming ski racing season.

More information to come as it becomes available.

Image by Gepa