Dancing Curse Roars Back, Strikes Kathy Ireland

Less than week before season, former model needs stitches in leg after surfing accident; injury not expected to affect her participation

Safety measures be damned. The new season of Dancing With the Stars hasn't started yet, but already the injury count is one two and holding.

Kathy Ireland received seven stitches in her leg when a day at the beach turned into a day at the emergency room.

The accident happened on Sunday, when the former model took partner Tony Dovolani's advice to "go out and have fun" on what may—should she prove to be any good at this dancing thing—have been her last free day for quite some time.

Unfortunately, she failed to heed the latter half of his advice, when he told her children to "make sure she doesn't do anything to injure herself."

Here's what went down...

Ireland decided to take son Erik surfing in Santa Barbara. During a wave run, the 46-year-old former Sports Illustrated swimsuit fixture bashed the board against the side of her leg, splitting it open.

As luck would have it, she managed to keep her treatment in the family. Her husband, Greg Olsen, is an ER doctor in Santa Barbara. He happened to be on duty at the time and stitched up Ireland himself.

While the injury probably won't help Ireland, her rep said it also is not expected to hurt her, with the model (like the previously injured Tom DeLay) still set to participate in Monday's premiere.