Daniel Hemetsberger (AUT) / GEPA pictures
Daniel Hemetsberger’s helmet flew off his head during a fall in the men’s second Olympic downhill training run Thursday in Bormio, Italy. Covering his head with his hands while airborne, the Austrian downhiller crashed hard into the safety nets. Despite the frightening impact, Hemetsberger is expected to be able to compete Saturday, according to the Austrian team doctor.
Hitting a Gate
When passing the second intermediate time in 31.95 seconds, Hemetsberger entered a left turn with minor airtime followed by a slight compression. Transitioning onto his new outside ski for the following right turn, he lost control.
At approximately 119 km/h, his inside ski appeared to catch on the slightly bumpy surface while the outside ski continued on a straighter line, causing his body to rotate roughly 180 degrees.
Sliding backward at high speed, Hemetsberger slammed into the next gate with significant force. His head snapped back, and his helmet flew off, the Austrian explained afterward in an interview with ORF.
Still airborne, Hemetsberger instinctively covered his head with both hands before crashing into the safety net. After tumbling along the netting and coming to a stop, he quickly raised his arm to signal that he was OK.
Horrible Impact
“Thankfully, I wasn’t unconscious during the crash. … The impact with the gate was horrible,” Hemetsberger told the Krone newspaper later.
“Luckily, the airbag deployed. My right foot is a bit twisted, it still hurts, but it should be OK,” he added.
On-Hill Assistance
Medical personnel briefly attended to Hemetsberger next to the racecourse following the crash before he began skiing slowly down the hill. Further down the course, he retrieved his helmet from a course worker, holding a tissue to his bleeding nose, his dark hair turned white and crusted with snow.
He then stopped beside FIS Race Director Hannes Trinkl, who was standing along the course. The two Austrians spoke briefly as Trinkl brushed snow from Hemetsberger’s head so he could put his helmet back on. Despite the visible blood on his face, the exchange ended with a few smiles and a short laugh.
Probably Racing Saturday
The Austrian Ski Federation team doctor provided an update on Hemetsberger’s condition Thursday evening.
“Due to the heavy impact, he’s feeling some discomfort in certain parts of his musculoskeletal system. He’s currently undergoing physiotherapy and needs some rest. But from today’s perspective, there’s nothing to suggest he won’t be able to start on Saturday,” Dr. Lukas Negrin said, according to Krone.
Hemetsberger is experiencing facial pain and pain in his right knee but did not require hospitalization, Krone reported.
Earlier Thursday, speaking with Austrian broadcaster ORF in the finish area, Hemetsberger appeared optimistic about racing in Saturday’s Olympic downhill. With visible abrasions on his face, he said he hoped the swelling around his left eye would subside in time so he could see properly.
Hemetsberger Upset
When he met reporters in the mixed zone, Hemetsberger said he did not know how his helmet came off — and that he did not care.
“With an impact like that, it can happen. I’m not criticizing anyone. The mouthguard proved its worth, though; I bit down hard, otherwise I would have knocked out some teeth again,” he said, according to Krone. The newspaper also reported that Hemetsberger complained of a headache.
The Austrian was frustrated with his own skiing and the mistake that caused the crash.
“I did the same stupid thing as in Kitzbühel. You can make a mistake once, but not twice. Then you’re an idiot, and that really annoys me,” he said, according to Krone.
Olympic Downhill, Bloody Nose — Again
This was not the first time Hemetsberger has dealt with a bloody nose in connection with an Olympic downhill event.
During the men’s downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, Hemetsberger struck a gate panel with his head just 14 seconds into his run. He continued racing and finished 21st. When he stopped in the finish area and lifted his goggles, blood covered his nose and face.
He later revealed that he had to breathe through his mouth for the remainder of the run because his nose was full of blood, TNT Sports reported on Feb. 7, 2022.
Hemetsberger’s best downhill result on the demanding Stelvio course in Bormio remains a fourth-place finish in a World Cup race in December 2021.
The Second Training Run
Thursday’s second training run in Bormio took place under sunny skies with good visibility. Hemetsberger was the only racer who did not finish.
Italians Mattia Casse, Florian Schieder and Giovanni Franzoni posted the three fastest training times. Many of the top contenders skied conservatively through sections of the course or stood up before the final stretch to the finish. Canadian Cameron Alexander finished 10th, the top North American on the day.
Swiss downhillers Stefan Rogentin and Niels Hintermann used the training run as a direct showdown for the fourth and final Olympic spot on the Swiss men’s team. Both raced at full speed through the fourth intermediate, where Rogentin clocked 1:25.15 compared with Hintermann’s 1:25.58, before easing off in the final section.
Rogentin secured the fourth Olympic berth, joining Marco Odermatt, Franjo von Allmen and Alexis Monney, who already had guaranteed spots.
A third and final training run is scheduled for Friday ahead of Saturday’s men’s Olympic downhill.
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