January 7, 2009

Vanessa Ferrari Doubtful for Milan

On January 5, the print version of one of Italy's most prominent newspapers, Corriere della Sera, published an article about Vanessa Ferrari, stating that the 2006 world champion, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon injury and bursitis in her right leg, has resumed training on bars and beam. Apparently the treatment Ferrari underwent in Milan was ineffective, while the therapy she had afterward in Brescia did improve her situation. According to the Corriere della Sera article, Ferrari hopes she won't need surgery, but fears it cannot be ruled out. Either way, she definitely won't be ready for the start of the season in February, and may not even be able to compete in front of a home crowd at the European Championships, which will be held in Milan in the first week of April.

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(photo: Jasmin Schneebeli-Wochner/Gymbox)

The article also says Ferrari regrets training hard despite health problems before last year's European Championships; she is determined not to make the same mistake again. Her objective is first of all to get back into shape and to compete in the 2009 Worlds, although she doesn't expect to do well there after a year full of injuries. She believes that if she fully recovers from her injuries, gives herself time and regains her motivation, she will be able to make a comeback at a high level.

For the time being Ferrari is living at the training center, having moved out of the family home for the first time. She has lost two of the seven kilos she was recently said to have gained and is counting on losing the other five as well.

Here's hoping the former world champion will be able to compete in London, even if it looks like she will miss out on Milan.

4 comments:

  1. This is the most depressing year ever! Everyone's retiring. Now Flamengo's gymnastics program is in danger, too. Diego Hypolito is having a hard time since he lost two of his sponsers. I'm losing or about to lose all of my favorite gymnasts!

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  2. Cidlover, we read about the Brazilian thing. We're still trying to find time to do a proper writeup. But you seem to be doing a good job for us... We expect Diego to find another sponsor soon enough. He's a popular guy; he shouldn't be left without a sponsor for too long, global economic crisis or not.

    Giulyx14, we hope to see Vanessa back in form in 2009!

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  3. Even though I was never part of the Ferrari bandwagon, I certainly felt sorry for her throughout 2008. What a rough year for her. I can only imagine how frustrating it was for her and her coach that her injuries prevented her from being at her best at the wrong time. While I'm not exactly crazy about her gymnastics, I do like her competitive spirit. I was looking forward to her being a contender in Beijing.

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