Summer Roundup: Pitching, skiing, getting injured, making deals

Summer Roundup: Pitching, skiing, getting injured, making dealsBode Miller threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park on Sunday, which was New Hampshire Day at the Red Sox stadium. The overall World Cup champion donned a Red Sox jersey and threw right handed. It was his first time at Fenway Park, Miller said in a Boston Herald story.

As cool as that little adventure was, check out Daron Rahlves at this Red Bull site if you really want a skiing fix.

Veteran Austrian downhiller Werner Franz suffered a serious leg injury last Thursday in Chile, while training there on winter snow. Franz, 33, apparently broke the tibia and fibia in his right leg, and was airlifted from the mountain and underwent three hours of surgery. It’s not the first major injury for Franz, who tore knee ligaments in a 2001 crash at Soelden and damaged his shoulder in a training accident in Bad Kleinkirchheim in January 2004. But this injury will be tough for the 33-year-old speed specialist who has had a difficult time qualifying for start spots on the ultra-competitive Austrian squad.

As if that weren’t enough, Canadian giant slalom specialist Gail Kelly tore her right ACL after mis-landing a jump at her team’s downhill training camp in Valle Nevado, Chile. The Quebec-er was evaluated onsite by Dr. Alan Lou, the team’s orthopedic surgeon and sent home for surgery. A six-year veteran of the Canadian team, Kelly has had a history of tough injuries. ‘The difficult road to Gail’s recovery begins right now’ said team physiotherapist Kent Kobelka. ‘The surgery went very well and she is expected to make a full recovery. She received excellent care from Dr. Lou and the medical staff in Canada. We expect about a six-month rehabilitation period, and unfortunately it looks like her season is over.’

The Finnish company Halti has entered into a three-year deal with Atomic Austria to become the company’s official clothing supplier. Atomic staff and service crew will wear Halti gear. The partnership also includes marketing measures, such as photo shoots. Kalle Palander, himself an Atomic skier, is co-owner of the clothing company, which already outfits officials from the FIS and the Finnish ski team.

Nordica celebrates the grand opening of its North American race room in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, on the evening of Wednesday, September 7.

It has been reported that the Norwegian ski team doesn’t mess around.

If you were Lindsey Kildow, you might do you dryland here.

UMass has a great new coach now, to go with the great old Pixies song.