September 21, 2014 – Finnish cross-country skier Aino-Kaisa Saarinen fell in Ramsau, Austria on her way to the hotel from a training session and broke a bone in her foot. More details on her rehabilitation will be known during the next week.

Saarinen was injured on Friday at noon, when she did a short training session before lunch and was already returning to her lodge. Approximately 300m before the hotel she stumbled. “I tried continue running but I felt it was easier to walk. When I took the shoe off, the foot looked quite normal. It was sore but after I had a shower the foot began to swell,” Saarinen explained.

Saarinen was taken to Schladming hospital where x-ray images showed a broken bone and she immediately received a cast. Local doctors estimate six weeks of treatment will be needed for her to recover. Saarinen left Ramsau one week earlier than planned to consult with treatment and rehabilitation facilities in Finland.

“This is my first fracture but the beginning of the season is still two months away. In 2010 I dislocated my arm six days before the start of the World Cup season and I claimed a bronze medal at the World Championships in Oslo. I’m confined and optimistic. I know that first steps are very important,” she added.

Contributed by http://www.kestavyysurheilu.fi, original article HERE.