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.


(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.