ISU Grand Prix 2001/2002

November 2001: Rene Lohse injured at Sparkassen Cup 2001
A drama unfolded around Kati Winkler/Rene Lohse at the Sparkassen Cup on Ice. Lohse had an unfortunate fall in the first practice in Gelsenkirchen on November 8. He was rushed to hospital and was diagnosed with torn ligaments in the left knee. The next day, he underwent surgery. Fortunaly, the diagnosis was more optimistic after the surgery as the ACL hadn't been ruptured. German team doctor Selim Al-Bazaz believed Lohse would be back on to the ice within six weeks. Rene was released from hospital in Berlin on November 17 and now will stay for three weeks in a rehab hospital near Munich. However, it's almost impossible that the Germans will be able to compete at Europeans in mid Januars. The German Olympic Committee, on the other hand demands that the skaters must a least finish 8th at Europeans in order to go to the Olympics. The German Federation now hopes that they can nominate Winkler/Lohse nevertheless for the Olympics. And, of course, it remains to be seen if Rene will be recovered in time for Salt Lake City.
October 2001: Skate Canada:
Kati & Rene had to withdraw from Skate Canada due to an inflammation of periosteum at Rene's foot.