Dr. Andrea Saterbak Returns from Providing Medical Coverage at World Cup Races in Italy

Twin Cities Orthopedics surgeon Dr. Andrea Saterbak recently returned from the women’s Alpine Skiing World Cup event in LaThuile, Italy. Saterbak, a consulting team physician for the U.S. Alpine Ski Team, works closely with the team’s athletic trainer to provide medical care to U.S. athletes.

Dr. Andrea Saterbak is pictured on race day in LaThuile, Italy, at the Women’s World Cup Downhill and Super G event in mid-February.

“The opportunity to be included as support on the tour gives me great satisfaction,” said Saterbak. “I follow the tour closely, even when not onsite. One can sense the escalating tension as the race unfolds after a few days of downhill training. The pace of race day is incredibly breathtaking. To have the current tour leader (Lindsey Vonn) present creates another dimension of focus by the entire team and its support system.”

LaThuile, a new stop on the women’s world cup circuit, hosted downhill and super G events. Saterbak said the race course left no question that having medical supervision on site was essential.

“The slope was aggressive with many critical directional changes, complete with significant elevation and pitch,” she said. “Current Alpine tour leader Lindsey Vonn scored two podium results and additional top 10 results were achieved by other team members.”

(r-l) Dr. Andrea Saterbak is pictured with U.S. Ski Team women’s trainer Martina Wegscheider.

Saterbak’s 17-year history with the tour has taken her to numerous countries in the European Alps and South America. Locally, she works closely with the junior ski clubs and masters racers in Minnesota and Wisconsin.