Sochi Olympics: Freestyle skier Maggie Voisin withdraws after injury

SOCHI, Russia -- Freestyle skier Maggie Voisin, the youngest member of the U.S. team at the Sochi Olympic Games, was forced to pull out of the upcoming slopestyle event.

The 15-year-old injured an ankle in training when falling off a rail feature in a practice session Friday. Although the competition isn’t until Tuesday, the decision to withdraw was made Saturday morning.

There will not be a replacement for Voisin.

The rapidly improving teenager was considered a medal threat, particularly after she won a slopestyle silver medal at the X Games in late January.

Voisin would have been the youngest American to compete at the Winter Olympics since 1972.

“Maggie distinguished herself as one of the top slopestyle athletes in the world in qualifying for Team USA,� said Luke Bodensteiner, a vice president of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Assn., in a statement Saturday.

“We’re disappointed for her in being unable to start but have great respect for what she accomplished to get here. Unfortunately there is not sufficient time to seek a replacement and have that athlete properly prepare for Tuesday’s competition.�

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