Canadian Alpine Ski Team member Mike Giannelli suffered an unfortunate setback Monday after injuring his knee at Panorama.
Giannelli, 25, was free skiing following his day of giant slalom training when his left knee buckled on him. Dr. Heard concluded Giannelli most likely suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Dr. Heard elaborated to say the injury was also most likely the result of a prior injury in Pitztal, Austria last October whereby Giannelli suffered a torn meniscus and damage to his ACL. Giannelli, a native of Burnaby, will return home for further evaluation with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Pat McConkey.
This has come as another untimely setback. The super-g specialist not only had knee problems last season but also tore his ACL at the 1999 World Championships in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Giannelli is currently in his fourth year with the men's senior national team.