Stiegler done for season with broken bones in leg

Nov 20, 2009 - 11:42 PM VAIL, Colo.(AP) -- U.S. skier Resi Stiegler is out for the season after breaking two bones in her left leg in a crash during giant slalom training.

The U.S. Ski Team said Friday that Stiegler, a 2006 Olympian from Jackson Hole, Wyo., had surgery for fractures to her tibia and femur.

"This was a serious injury for Resi, but her spirit is strong," U.S. Ski Team medical director Richard Quincy said in a statement. "One of the first things she asked was if she could be ready for on-snow camp in New Zealand next summer."

The injuries from Thursday's accident at Copper Mountain are the latest obstacle for the 24-year-old Stiegler. She was sidelined for more than a year after hurting her left arm and right knee in a December 2007 crash in Lienz, Austria.

Stiegler returned in February 2009 and finished 19th in the slalom at the world championships. She then fractured her foot a few weeks later.

"Really bummed for her," three-time Olympian Sarah Schleper said Thursday after cutting short her giant slalom workout following Stiegler's crash. "She's a lot of good energy for us.

"She was starting to ski well again. This is going to be really tough for her. We're going to be supporting her 100 percent, though."