Tiffany Gauthier underwent a minor scope on her knee on Monday in Lyon to address nagging pain that she hopes is now behind her. The French speed specialist, who had a breakout season in 2017/18, previously sustained ACL tears in both of her knees and undertook the surgery as more of a preventative measure than a necessity.

"The procedure went well. There were pieces of cartilage in my knee that bothered me throughout the winter. Although the operation was not absolutely necessary, I wanted to do it after the end of the season to be able to start the new ski year without pain,” she told the website SkiChrono.com.

The Tignes native scored her first World Cup points in 2016 and first cracked the top 10 in 2017. During the 2017/18 season, she also broke into the top five with two fourth place finishes in the Bad Kleinkirchheim downhill and super-G. She finished the season ranked 20th in super-G and 23rd in downhill as the top-ranked French female downhiller.

"I am very demanding with myself, and I always want to do better. It's true that I'm a bit too impatient. After Bad Kleinkirchheim, I wanted to break everything. But I have to be realistic – you cannot force anything. I still have to gain experience. These experiences are very important, especially in the speed disciplines,” she continued. 

A broken hand sustained in Are, Sweden, prevented her from competing in the French National Championships this spring, but she is looking ahead to next season which starts with physical conditioning in June. She expects to join her team at that time following two weeks of rest, two weeks of rehabilitation, and a few days of vacation. 

"What Tiffany showed in Bad Kleinkirchheim was her level," said French women’s head speed coach Alberto Senigagliesi. "Sometimes she lacks self confidence. But if Tiffany can have a good summer preparation, she'll get some surprises next winter.” 

Read the original SkiChrono.com interview here.

Source: fis-ski.com