Stein Eriksen injured in ski-slope collision

Stein Eriksen, a gold medalist in skiing at the 1952 Winter Olympics, broke bones and needed surgery as a result of a collision with a 9-year-old skier at Deer Valley resort.

Eriksen, 80, had surgery this week on a broken wrist and also fractured the scapula and clavicle in his shoulder, Deer Valley president Bob Wheaton said Friday.

Eriksen collided with a boy while skiing last Sunday at the Park City resort, where he holds the title of director of skiing.

"He wasn't doing well. He was in and out of consciousness," friend Mark Haroldsen said.

Wheaton said Eriksen had a "couple issues with anesthesia" after surgery, "but all that is gone."

Eriksen should be released today from University of Utah Hospital, Wheaton said.

Eriksen was injured a day after 350 people celebrated his birthday at a Deer Valley lodge that bears his name. A bronze statue of the skier was unveiled near the entrance.

Eriksen won gold and silver medals at the 1952 Olympics in Norway, his native country. He subsequently moved to the United States.

"He's in good spirits. ... He should be cleared to ski before the end of the season," Wheaton said.