Racing with bandaged, bloodied chin, Sarah Schleper of US stands 9th after 1st run of slalom

Racing with bloodied chin, Schleper 9th in 1st run

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Sarah Schleper is competing in the Olympic slalom with her chin bandaged after she cut herself by hitting a gate during prerace training.

Schleper is in ninth place after the first of two slalom runs Friday.

The 31-year-old mother from Vail, Colo., says she “smelled my flesh burning” and got blood on her racing bib when she was hurt.

Schleper is wearing a helmet without a protective bar — similar to a facesmask used by football players — that’s often attached for the slalom, which has more gates than other Alpine events. She says she wanted to have a bar but “could not find one last night.”