Bill Johnson Injured in Downhill Training, to Miss Rest of Season

Bill Johnson, Olympic downhill skiing champion, crashed at high speed in training Friday and will probably miss the rest of the World Cup season.

Dr. Dave Donaldson of Denver accompanied Johnson, 26, to a hospital at Bressanone, Italy, where he was taken after the fall during practice for today’s World Cup race at Val Gardena. Donaldson said Johnson seriously injured his left knee and chipped a bone in his right shoulder.

Johnson crashed when he hit one of the three icy camel bumps along the 2.2-mile course. His skis failed to release as he was catapulted through the air.

Donaldson said Johnson would fly to South Lake Tahoe from Munich, West Germany, on the first available flight. He is expected to undergo surgery by Dr. Richard Steadman there early next week.

Donaldson said that Johnson will be out for several months, including rehabilitation.

“If it had been a normal person and not an athlete, the injury would have meant an indefinite pause in skiing,” Donaldson said. “But I think Bill can begin skiing this summer and certainly by next autumn.”