CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (Sept. 3) – Snowboarder Luke Mitrani is recovering at a Christchurch hospital after successful surgery to stabilize a fractured vertebrae. Mitrani was injured Sunday (Sept. 1) while training in the halfpipe at Cardrona. According to U.S. Snowboarding Medical Director Kyle Wilkens, New Zealand doctors said that Monday’s surgery was successful in stabilizing the injury. He was reported to be neurologically sound but will continue to be monitored. A Vermont native who now lives in Mammoth Lakes, CA, Mitrani jumped to fifth in the World Snowboard Tour rankings last season with two podiums on the Sprint U.S. Grand Prix.
