A sudden operation for appendicitis, performed in Austria, will in all probability prevent the Norwegian Lucas Braathen, current number 1 in the slalom world, from participating in the Alpine Skiing World Championships starting next Monday in Courchevel/Meribel, France.
Certainly "I hope to return in a few weeks", wrote the Norwegian on social media, but in his heart there is the desire to be at the starting gate at least in the special that will close the program of the world championship event on 19 February.
The 22-year-old Scandinavian this season has reached the podium five times in slalom, with two victories in Val d'Isere and Adelboden and also one in the giant slalom held in Alta Badia.
Braathen leads the slalom world cup standings by 41 points over his compatriot Henrik Kristoffersen,
(HANDLE).