Canadian speedskater Denny Morrison breaks leg while cross-country skiing

CALGARY – Canadian speedskater Denny Morrison is expected to be out of action until March after breaking his leg while cross-country skiing.

Speedskating Canada says Morrison broke the fibula in his left leg Saturday while training on his own in Fernie, B.C., where he was visiting family for the holidays.

Morrison, the reigning world champion in the 1,500 metres and current World Cup leader in the 1,000 metres, has since returned to Calgary to meet with the national team’s medical staff and specialists to further evaluate the injury and establish a rehab program.

“I’m optimistic about my recovery,” Morrison said in a statement Sunday. “I’m expecting to be in good form for the World Single Distances Championships in March, which are also a venue test event for the Sochi 2014 Olympics.”

The 27-year-old from Fort St. John, B.C., competed in all five fall World Cups this season, winning gold and silver medals in the 1,000 metres.

Morrison was a gold and silver medallist in team pursuit at the 2010 and 2006 Olympics, respectively, and has 37 individual medals and 12 in team pursuit in 55 career World Cups.