Russian alpine skier breaks leg and will miss Sochi Olympics

MOSCOW, Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Promising Russian alpine skier Valentina Golenkova has broken her leg and will miss the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russian sports news agency R-Sport reported.

Golenkova recently accomplished the biggest success of her career when she won a downhill gold medal and a Super G bronze medal at the University Games in Italy.

She was not considered a medal contender for the Olympics in Sochi, which will begin in February, but would have likely participated in the Russian alpine ski team, R-Sport reported.

Golenkova, who debuted at the World Cup last month, is the reigning Russian national champion in downhill and Super G events.