Sölden: Injured racer Lanzinger earns award

SOLDEN, Austria — Matthias Lanzinger, whose lower left leg was amputated last March following a double fracture sustained in a high-speed crash in the super G at Kvitfjell, Norway, on Thursday night received the AIJS “Skier d'Or” award in memory of World Cup founder Serge Lang.

SOLDEN, Austria — Matthias Lanzinger, whose lower left leg was amputated last March following a double fracture sustained in a high-speed crash in the super G at Kvitfjell, Norway, on Thursday night received the AIJS “Skier d'Or” award in memory of World Cup founder Serge Lang.
    The crash severely damaged blood vessels in the leg of the 27-year-old member of the Austrian alpine team and forced the amputation. The crash also raised concerns about course safety and questioned the reasoning as to why a medical helicopter was not stationed at the race that day.
     Launched in the early 1960's, the “Skier d'Or” award honors an athlete who's made a significant contribution to the sport of ski racing, through athletic success and strength of character.
     Of receiving the award, Lanzinger says, "I'm honored because it's special. There's personality and character behind it."