Kalle Palander, the 2003 World Cup slalom champion, the 1999 world slalom champion, has not skied a World Cup race since January of 2008. According to reports in the Austrian press it may be a while longer.

“I am in shape for chess, Kimble (A Finnish board game) or bowling,” he said. But he stopped short of announcing a retirement. “I wait for a miracle,” he said in a Friday press conference.

Palander sustained a stress fracture of his right tibia in 2008 in a crash at a FIS race in Westendorf. He elected to continue racing but could not pressure the leg as needed in races at Kitzbuehel and Schladming and had surgery. Subsequent surgery was required. Admitting to much pessimism about a possible return he is attempting training wearing a specially designed ski boot.
Palander photo by GEPA