Worlds: Vonn to skip GS

Double gold medalist Lindsey Vonn will skip the World Championship giant slalom after slicing a thumb tendon.

Vonn told U.S. team officials she needed another day of rest and still expected to race the slalom later in the week.Double gold medalist Lindsey Vonn will skip the World Championship giant slalom after slicing a thumb tendon.

Vonn told U.S. team officials she needed another day of rest and still expected to race the slalom later in the week.

Vonn injured her thumb on a champagne bottle while celebrating her gold medal in downhill Monday. After receiving four stitches to close the wound she went ahead with a full evening schedule of media interviews before subsequent medical examination revealed the tendon damage.

She spent Tuesday having minor surgery in Innsbruck, Austria and returned to Val d’Isere Wednesday when the decision to skip Thursday’s GS was made.

“Lindsey will take the day to test out a few of the splints that were built specifically for her right hand and if everything feels right, we’ll move directly into training slalom on Friday,” said Head Coach Jim Tracy.

Vonn said her care could not have been better. “I’m incredibly thankful for the care I’ve had over the last two days,” she said. “Red Bull flew me to Innsbruck and the surgery went perfectly, then we spent nearly a full day working with Martin Galler to build specific splints to help me grip my pole without impact. (Husband) Thomas (Vonn) and Dr. Jeff ([Harrison, U.S. Ski Team Physician) were with me for the entire process. We’ll see how things go the next few days, but I’m hoping to race slalom.”

See photos of Vonn and more action from worlds on the Universal Sports photo gallery.