Cyprien Sarrazin Suffers Serious Injury in Bormio Downhill Training
World Cup racer Cyprien Sarrazin suffered a head injury after a dramatic fall towards the end of the demanding Stelvio downhill course in Bormio, Italy, this Friday. A helicopter airlifted the Frenchman out of the racecourse during the second day of official training, ahead of the World Cup downhill and super-G competitions scheduled for Dec. 28-29.
A Hard Hit
Sarrazin caught air off a roll in the course and flew high through the air. When landing, he hit his back and head forcefully against the hard race-hill surface, various European media reports.
He continued to slide out of control across the course, before crashing into and cutting through the safety nets with his ski.
Medical staff quickly arrived by Sarrazin’s side. Medical staff paused the training run, provided care, and a rescue helicopter lifted him on a stretcher from the side of the course.
Serious Injury Status
The first report from the French Ski Federation stated: “Following his fall in Bormio, Cyprien is conscious, he will undergo tests,” according to the French edition of Eurosport.
Early Friday evening, Central European time (CET), the French Ski Federation made further updates, confirming the seriousness of the situation.
Doctors thoroughly examine Sarrazin and diagnose him with a subdural hematoma.
“A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel near the surface of the brain bursts. Blood builds up between the brain and the brain’s tough outer lining. … A subdural hematoma is a life-threatening problem because it can compress the brain,” according to Harvard Health Publishing’s website.
Friday evening, CET, FIS writes: “Following further examinations, as well as Cyprien’s evolving clinical examination, it has been decided in agreement with the Italian surgeons to operate on Cyprien this evening in order to drain the subdural hematoma.”
One of the Toughest
Sarrazin earned a reputation as one of the toughest downhill racers in the World Cup last season, after winning the Bormio downhill and then winning both Kitzbühel World Cup downhill competitions three weeks later.
The Stelvio course in Bormio is reputed to be one of the most demanding courses on the men’s World Cup tour.
“We know the dangers of this course,” Justin Murisier told Eurosport Friday. The Swiss winner of the Beaver Creek, Colo., downhill Dec. 6, described the course as, “very icy, with very dark sections in terms of visibility,” Eurosport reports.
Odermatt: “The Most Difficult Race”
“The Stelvio is like a constant fight for survival,” Swiss superstar Marco Odermatt told Blick. He described the spot where Sarrazin fell as particularly treacherous.
U.S. racer Kyle Negomir and Swiss Josua Mettler also fell in the same spot as Sarrazin, prompting journalists to ask many downhill racers the same question: “Is the Stelvio 2024 too poorly prepared?” Blick reports. Odermatt replied to Blick:
“This will be the most difficult race of the year! The big problem: 80 percent of the course is completely icy; 20 percent consists of aggressive snow. This irregularity makes it difficult to do the right thing with the skis. Yes, it is a fight for survival from start to finish.”
Olympic Competitions
Sarrazin’s French teammate Nils Allègre criticized the preparation of this year’s Stelvio course, according to Eurosport:
“My opinion is clear: they don’t know how to prepare a slope.”
The French racer was also very critical of Bormio hosting the men’s alpine skiing events during the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics:
“A year before the Games, to make a track like that… They don’t deserve to have the Olympic Games.”
Sarrazin Excited about Bormio
Sarrazin placed second in the Beaver Creek super-G on Dec. 7 but had not entered a downhill podium so far this season. The 30-year-old was excited to race in the tough Stelvio course, after his victory there last season:
“It’s certain that in Bormio, I’m going to have good memories that will come back. … We’re going there to create a new story this year,” he said during a press briefing on Monday, according to Eurosport.
Unfortunately, Sarrazin will not create the story he hoped for this year.
Fast Training Times
Sarrazin clocked the fastest training time on the Stelvio course during the first official training run there Thursday, more than a second ahead of the second fastest racer, Italian Mattia Casse. He also recorded fast intermediate times before Friday’s dramatic crash.
Canadian Cameron Alexander, starting soon after the long course hold after Sarrazin’s accident, clocked the fastest time in Friday’s training run.
Ski Racing Media sends its best wishes to Sarrazin.
Downhill and Safety Issues
During a 2022 interview with Ski Racing Media, FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl discussed possible adjustments to the Stelvio course before the 2026 Olympics. He also discussed other men’s World Cup downhill courses and safety measures.
In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media in March 2024, FIS Chief Race Director Markus Waldner discussed safety and various other issues regarding the Alpine World Cup.
Before this season, the FIS Council made airbags mandatory during World Cup downhill and super-G competitions. Sarrazin’s airbag inflated quickly during the dramatic fall, according to European media. However, airbags have no protective impact on head injuries.
Sources: FIS, ORF.at, Eurosport.fr, VG.no, Krone.at, Harward Health Publishing
About the Author: Bente Bjørnsen Sherlock
