10 February 2005	Thursday	30 Zilhaj 1425

BORMIO, Feb 9: The first skier from Pakistan to ever race at the alpine ski World Championships might now miss his chance of a lifetime after a crash on the slopes Wednesday.

Officials said that 21-year-old Abbas Muhammad, suffered a head-on collision with a Russian skier during morning warm-up for the men's giant slalom which was postponed until Thursday due to a strike by Italian television technicians.

After his crash, the dazed racer was taken to hospital in Sondalo by helicopter, but discharged after a few hours with doctor's orders to rest for three days. But Pakistani team officials said that while their skier does not remember anything of the accident, he will wait until early Thursday before deciding if he feels fit enough to make history by competing.-dpa