Palander plans return after two missed seasons

The most successful male Finnish alpine skier in history, Kalle Palander, is hoping to continue his racing career after missing two and a half seasons to a leg injury. He is the ’99 World Slalom Champion and winner of the World Cup slalom title in ’03

Palander sustained a stress fracture of the right tibia, apparently in a FIS race crash at Westendorf during January 2008. He continued to race until February but found he was unable to sufficiently pressure his skis enough and agreed to end the season in favor of surgery. The healing process has not gone well, requiring subsequent surgery and last season he abandoned an attempt to return to competition with a specially build ski boot. Even now he is uncertain the leg will ever completely heal.

“The earliest I will stand on skis again is in August”, Palander told journalist Kari Melartin. “I am a passionate sportsman, but also a realist. Over the past two seasons things have gone completely wrong, so for the future all must be organized one hundred percent,” Palander said.

The 33 year old father of two is not interested in competing at less than full strength. He told Melartin his plans for the 2011 season are simple: “I do not want to miss a single Finnish slalom. Also I want to become World Champion.”
Palander photo by GEPA