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Tuesday, June 5
Irwin making smooth recovery



CALGARY, Alberta -- Dave Irwin, one of Canada's top skiers in the 1970s and early '80s, has made such a remarkable recovery from head injuries sustained in an accident last March that he could return to the slopes next winter, according to his doctor and family.

"I hope he doesn't return to really fast skiing or competitive skiing," Dr. Christine McGovern said Tuesday. "But I'm sure by next season he'll be able to ski."

The 46-year-old Irwin spent weeks in a coma and on life support after falling during a training run. The high-speed accident caused his brain to bleed in several areas, McGovern said.

"When you look at him you'd say that he looks fine, but when you talk to him you realize he's a little scrambled," said Ken Read, also a former member of the Canadian ski team. "He's connecting the dots, getting the neuro-pathways going so that he can understand who he is, where he is and what's important to him."

Irwin, Read, Steve Podborski, Jim Hunter and Dave Murray were teammates on Canada's national ski team during the 1970s and early '80s. Among them, they recorded 14 World Cup victories.

During weekends, Irwin checks out of the Foothills Hospital in Calgary to spend time at his Canmore home.

Irwin's doctor said he's had an excellent physical recovery, but still has memory and concentration problems.

He's overcome gaps in long-term memory, but tends to forget things such as therapy schedule times and details, McGovern said.

"He does get confused, however he is able to answer questions, he's able to participate in therapy," she said.

McGovern doubts Irwin will ever fully recover.

"I think he'll always notice some problems with his thinking skills down the road," she said. "It's still too early to tell if he will be at a level of competitive work."

Irwin owns a ski marketing and promotional business, which has been running smoothly without the boss, Read said.

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