North Vancouver alpine ski star Manuel Osborne-Paradis is recovering from a bad case of road rash and likely a bit of embarrassment after an apparent mishap involving a party bus at the Calgary Stampede last week.
A press release issued by Alpine Canada reported that the two-time Olympian is being treated in a Calgary hospital for a "road rash injury sustained in a minor vehicle accident."
Osborne-Paradis, citing his lawyer's orders, did not go into specifics about the incident but did say he was doing well.
"I'm up and walking and can move around without much pain," he said in an email to the North Shore News, adding that this will not affect his return to skiing.
He is currently rehabbing from a broken leg and torn knee ligament suffered in a crash at a World Cup ski race in late January.
Calgary police issued a release stating that, in the early morning of July 15, a 27-year-old male climbed onto the back of a moving party bus on Macleod Trail, lost his balance and fell onto the trailer hitch. A piece of his clothing caught on the trailer hitch and he was dragged for about 80 metres before another motorist got the driver to stop the bus. The police news release also said that he was intoxicated, was taken to hospital with "severe road rash to his buttocks" and was facing Traffic Safety Act charges.
Osborne-Paradis said that he was given a $115 ticket, which has been paid.
"It has been a drag, but accidents happen," Osborne-Paradis said. "We learn, move ahead and get stronger from it.
Alpine Canada said that the national team member is expected to be released from hospital next week and he will be evaluated by team physicians with a view to returning to training in four to six weeks.
Osborne-Paradis competed in the gruelling, seven-stage B.C. Bike Race earlier this month, after which he told the North Shore News he was on track to be in the start gates for the first World Cup race of the season, scheduled for Lake Louise in late November. He is a nine-time medalist on the World Cup circuit, including three golds.
