U.S. Skier Breaks His Neck in Practice

VAL GARDENA, Italy — Kraig Sourbeer of East Burke, Vt., broke his neck Thursday after crashing in training for Saturday’s men’s World Cup downhill.

Sourbeer, a rookie on the circuit who also crashed in training for last Saturday’s downhill at Val d’Isere, France, went out of control on the “camel bumps” section of the Saslong run.

First reports said that Sourbeer had suffered just a shoulder injury. But a hospital examination revealed the broken neck.

Sourbeer was starting from a high-80s position on the second day of practice for the downhill.

American Alpine Director Harald Schoenhaar had said during summer training that Sourbeer was being counted on to provide “natural competition” for more experienced downhillers.

World Cup leader Karl Alpiger of Switzerland clocked the fastest practice time, 2 minutes 7.07 seconds.