World Champion Sarah Hendrickson started jumping training again about five months after she suffered a serious knee injury.
The 19-year-old sustained the injury during training in Oberstdorf last summer, she then underwent ACL reconstruction, MCL and meniscal repair late August.
After she spent six to eight hours a day rehabbing in the Center of Excellence of the US Ski Team in Park City, Hendrickson was now able to make her first jumps again on the normal hill in the Utah Olympic Park.
"The feeling of that first jump back was one of the best sensations in the entire world. On the second jump, I let go of the bar and felt completely comfortable. All my nerves simply disappeared. My knee feels very good considering the situation. Every day in the gym, I was dreaming about the days when I would be back on the jumps. Now that I have made it to that point, it is weight lifted off my shoulder. I, of course, didn't do this alone. My medical team, coaches, and all my supporters pushed me to make this possible and I can't thank them enough", Hendrickson is quoted in a media release of the US Ski Team.
Head coach Alan Alborn has words of praise for his top athlete: "Sarah has done an outstanding job of taking baby steps every day. She has exceeded everyone’s expectations and continues to do so."
