Sarah Hendrickson (file photo: WSJ-USA)

Knee Injury Sidelines Ski Jumping Champion for Season

Park City, UT – World champion ski jumper Sarah Hendrickson of Park City underwent knee surgery in late August and will be out for the season.

Hendrickson, who injured her right knee in a training accident in August 2013 leading up to the Sochi Olympics, reinjured the knee during jump training in June.

According to U.S. Ski Team Medical Director Kyle Wilkens, Hendrickson underwent surgery last month in Park City to repair her right knee. A followup surgery is anticipated in a few months.

Sarah Hendrickson, of Park City, Utah, is hoisted into the air by her teammates after winning the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Women's ski jumping in Val di Fiemme, Italy (photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team)
Sarah Hendrickson, of Park City, Utah, is hoisted into the air by her teammates after winning the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships Women’s ski jumping in Val di Fiemme, Italy
(photo: Sarah Brunson/U.S. Ski Team)

She will complete her rehabilitation at her home base of Park City at the USSA Center of Excellence. It is anticipated that she will be back in action for the 2016-17 World Cup season, including the 2017 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

Hendrickson won the season-long FIS World Cup title in 2012 and became the World Champion in 2013.

“I am not giving up on my dreams that I set years ago – this is just another speed bump in the road. My story isn’t over. It’s a bummer for me to miss the World Cup tour this season, but I’m fortunate that this is a year without an Olympics or World Championships,” said Hendrickson. “It will be an opportunity for me to have a mental break and focus on coming back next season even stronger for the 2018 Olympics. I have a different mindset than in the past and I’m confident in my ability to come back in 2017 and be competitive in PyeongChang.”

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