I feel a strange compulsion to mention this

Although we don't customarily follow skiing in this blog, I just think the events of the past week or so are too notable to pass without comment. Several times this week I've had a double-take reading the sports pages. I refer, of course, to the extraordinary toughness and courage of Vonn - Lindsey Vonn, a member of the U.S. Ski Team, and reigning World Cup Champion. The odd synchronicity of the headlines with...other events...tells an interesting story:

• Worlds: Vonn's injury serious; slalom up in the air
• Injured Vonn may miss rest of world championships
• Injured Vonn to race in Saturday's slalom
• Moelgg tops Vonn in first slalom run
  
• Injured Vonn falls at worlds, Riesch wins slalom
• Riesch takes gold as friend Vonn slides out

I think we can all appreciate the courage it took to slide in in the first place...