Older, wiser Lindsey Vonn finding less risk can bring more reward

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Older, wiser Lindsey Vonn finding less risk can bring more reward

Three weeks ago, when Lindsey Vonn was tearing up the Alpine ski circuit and still keeping her oft-battered body intact, I spoke with her on the phone to gather information for a story to appear before the World Cup finals in mid-March.

We talked about several things.

*The loneliness of months on the road that led her to get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy, Lucy, now five months old, as a travel companion.

*The slow rebuilding of confidence after her two extensive knee surgeries in 2013.

*The pride she is taking in consistently winning and breaking records.

*Risk management.

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Worlds three-peat for U.S. men skaters? It doesn't figure

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Worlds three-peat for U.S. men skaters? It doesn't figure

After two busy weeks on the figure skating scene, including the U.S., Canadian and European Championships and the news of a season-ending injury for U.S. phenom Nathan Chen, let’s catch our breath for a look of what it all means to U.S. singles skaters as they look toward the 2016 World Championships.

Today, a look at the men’s situation.  Tomorrow, the women.

*The loss of Chen to a hip avulsion fracture that required surgery will have minimal impact on the United States’ slim-to-no chance of keeping its three men’s spots for the 2017 World Figure Skating Championships.

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Chen undergoes surgery, to miss both skate world championships

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Chen undergoes surgery, to miss both skate world championships

The decision on whether Nathan Chen should compete in either of the world figure skating championships for which he qualified no longer is discretionary.

The injury Chen suffered on a failed quadruple jump attempt during Sunday’s exhibition gala after the U.S. Championships has required left hip surgery that will knock him out of both the world juniors and world championships in late March.

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Coach: Chen's future health more important than skating in worlds

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Coach: Chen's future health more important than skating in worlds

Whether phenom Nathan Chen competes at either of the two world figure skating championships for which he has qualified will depend on a medical evaluation of the injury he sustained Sunday evening.

“What matters is not these worlds.  What matters is that he is healthy for the future,” Rafael Arutunian, the skater’s coach, told me by telephone Tuesday afternoon.

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