Nathalie Pechalat gets injured in practice, participation at worlds is uncertain

[Mirunna]

http://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...d=181962471187

This would be a tragedy,I wish her a full and speedy recovery!

[Mattieu]

OMG, this is awful news!!
My heart goes out to Natalie and Fabian.

[dorispulaski]

That is dreadful, dreadful news! I am so sorry to hear it. I did so hope they would medal in Nice.

[TelmoFe]

This is so sad... why they haven't luck at worlds???? Get better fast, Natalie.

[Trewyn]

Reported on Facebook today was that the surgery is being postponed until after Worlds. She's currently training with some kind of protective mask. They haven't fully decided on participating in Worlds, but it does look like they're going to try very hard to make it work... I hope their courage will last and I hope Nathalie isn't in too much pain...

[Ilvskating]

Very bad luck, but I hope they can still make it and get medals!

PS: It may sound inappropriate, but the image of Natalie having a facial cast to go with her mummy costume kind of make me laugh. That must be considered as a huge step up to complet one's costume. -----seriously, take care, Natalie, and good luck!

[emma]

Trying to catch up on skating news and just read this....I am so very sorry to hear this and do wish Natalie a very speedy recovery.

[Mattieu]

On France 2 Fabian has announced that they will be participating!!
Minor problem said Fabian??
Apparently, Natalie won't need surgery after worlds!!!

[Lilyvalley]

#Nice12 @PechalatBourzat have confirmed their participation, starting with the short dance on Wednesday! via @ffsportsdeglace

[emma]

Wow....very brave. Wishing them the very best for this competition!

[dorispulaski]

Very brave indeed!

[sky_fly20]

Good Luck to P/B, hope she get a thick make up to cover her hematoma .

[Buttercup]

It's blurry, but here's a pic of Nathalie & Fabian doing an interview in Nice. The angle and resolution make it difficult to tell what sort of shape Nathalie is in, but hopefully she's feeling well & both of them will have a great competition.

[golden411]

And ISU Figure Skating Facebook page also confirms that P/B will compete.

I've copied below the Mar 25 press release in the original French from the official 2012 Worlds website.
When I use Google Translate, it says (among other things) that Nathalie has received the green light to compete from a medical specialist; that she has trouble breathing and constant pain ... but that they look forward to being on the ice Wednesday night; that she has not decided whether to wear a protective mask in competition, and that their first workout tomorrow should provide more guidance.

Feu Vert pour N.Péchalat/F.Bourzat!
25 mars 2012
COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE

FEU VERT POUR N.PECHALAT / F.BOURZAT !

Arrivée dans la matinée avec son partenaire Fabian Bourzat, les doubles champions d’Europe de danse sur glace seront bien présents sur la glace Niçoise dès mercredi soir pour la première épreuve : la danse courte. Après une consultation chez un spécialiste dans l’après-midi, Nathalie Péchalat a reçu le feu vert médical.

« Je suis soulagée. J’ai toujours une gêne respiratoire et des douleurs permanentes, mais il était inenvisageable pour nous de renoncer au mondial. C’est une première victoire pour nous que d’être présents. Notre détermination est plus forte que jamais à côtoyer les sommets! Nous voulons être à la hauteur de l’événement et nous avons hâte d’être sur la glace ce mercredi soir.»

Nathalie n’a en revanche pas pris la décision de porter ou non un masque de protection pendant la compétition. Le premier entraînement demain devrait donner plus d’indications sur les sensations ressenties par la championne d’Europe.

[demarinis5]

Thanks for the photo and the updates. Great news!