Val d'Isere, France - Maria Riesch's world championship medal hopes were in danger after the German skier crashed in downhill training on Wednesday.

Riesch, 24, bruised her spine, damaged a ligament in her left knee and suffered light facial injuries when she crashed into the safety nets. She was able to ski down to the finish line on her own but it remains unclear how the injuries will affect her.

Riesch has won four of the last five slalom races of the season and is a medal contender in this event as well as the super combined race scheduled for Friday. She ranks second in the World Cup.

The German missed the 2005 world championships and 2006 Olympics due to severe knee injuries and had not regained her form yet at the next worlds in 2007. (dpa)