February 23, 2006
SESTRIERE, Italy (AP Press Release)—American Lindsey Kildow's injured back was feeling better Thursday, leaving open the possibility that she would race in Friday's Olympic giant slalom, after all.
"She doesn't feel too bad today, U.S. women's coach Patrick Riml said.
Kildow, who had indicated she might withdraw because of persistent back pain following a downhill training crash Feb. 13, will make the decision on race morning, Riml said.
Despite being hospitalized overnight after the crash, Kildow has competed in all four women's Alpine events in the Turin Games but has not shown her top form. Her best finish was seventh in the super-G.
Meanwhile, Janica Kostelic of Croatia was still recuperating from an illness that has plagued her the entire Olympics and was almost certain to miss the giant slalom, the last Alpine event on the women's program.
Kostelic said after finishing fourth in Wednesday's slalom that she was 90 percent sure she would not race the giant slalom, and Croatia ski team spokesman Ozren Mueller said Thursday night that the chances of sitting out had gone up since then.
"She's in a good mood, but she has no energy, Mueller said. "She had the flu and then a stomach ache. It took a lot of energy away from her.
Kostelic skipped the Olympic downhill last week with a high pulse.
She is the defending champion in giant slalom and the most decorated female skier in Olympic Alpine skiing history with four golds and six medals overall, including a gold and a silver at these games.
Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press
