Canada's Jessica Dube required surgery yesterday after she was struck in the face by her partner's blade during the pairs free skate at the Four Continents championships in Colorado.
The first pair on to the ice, the Canadian champions were midway through their routine when Bryce Davison's razor sharp blade appeared to slice across Dube's face during side-by-side flying camel spins.
Dube dropped to the ice crying and grasped her face as blood pooled on the World Arena ice and medical personnel rushed to her side. She was quickly loaded on to a stretcher and transported to the hospital.
Medical adviser Jane Moran said: "Dube has seen a specialist. The eye was not affected. No permanent damage is expected."