America's Lanning ruled out of racing this weekend after crash

BORMIO, Italy (AP) -- American skier TJ Lanning crashed at high speed Friday during training for a World Cup downhill and was ruled out of racing this weekend.

Lanning had cuts on his face and a possible bruise to his knee after losing control and slamming into the safety netting lining the Stelvio course.

"He's getting checked out. We're still in the evaluation process," U.S. Ski Team head coach Sasha Rearick said. "He was able to ski down."

Lanning was not taken to a hospital, but team doctors advised him against racing on Sunday. It was unclear how long he will be out.

Lanning, of Park City, Utah, finished 10th in the Val Gardena downhill last weekend and is having a breakout season after a career blighted by injuries.

Werner Heel of Italy was fastest with a time of 2 minutes, 4.41 seconds, just ahead of compatriot Christof Innerhofer, 1.27 seconds back. Aksel Lund Svindal of Norway finished another 0.30 seconds back in third.

"The course is tough and bumpy," Rearick said. "It's Bormio in December."

Bode Miller of the United States finished 15th. Miller won downhill and super-G gold medals on this course at the 2005 World Championships.

Another training session is scheduled for Saturday.

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