Rienda Contreras gone for season
Spaniard Maria Jose Rienda Contreras will miss the 2006-07 World Cup season after a training accident at Loveland, Colorado.
Rienda Contreras finished second in the 2006 World Cup standings and has won more World Cup races (six) than any other Spaniard, passing Blanca Fernandez-Ochoa (four) last season with four wins, all in giant slalom.
Rienda reportedly tore ligaments in her knee, including the ACL. She had been training at Loveland in preparation for the World Cup season.
The GS winner at Aspen a season ago, Rienda would have been listed among the favorites when the World Cup tour visits Aspen this weekend.
At 31, there is speculation the injury could end the Spaniard’s career, but there has been no official word of her intentions beyond healing.
Rienda Contreras finished second in the 2006 World Cup standings and has won more World Cup races (six) than any other Spaniard, passing Blanca Fernandez-Ochoa (four) last season with four wins, all in giant slalom.
Rienda reportedly tore ligaments in her knee, including the ACL. She had been training at Loveland in preparation for the World Cup season.
The GS winner at Aspen a season ago, Rienda would have been listed among the favorites when the World Cup tour visits Aspen this weekend.
At 31, there is speculation the injury could end the Spaniard’s career, but there has been no official word of her intentions beyond healing.
All six of Rienda Contreras’ Cup wins have come since February 2005, and though she finished second in the 2006 giant slalom standings, she recorded more wins for the season than any other competitor. She entered the 2006 Olympics as a contender for the GS gold medal, having won back-to-back races at Ofterschwang, Germany, just before the Games began, but finished 13th at the Olympics. Carolina Ruiz Castillo was the only other Spaniard to score World Cup points last season.
About the Author: Pete Rugh
