Athlete injuries

More than a year after his devastating crash in Wengen, Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is preparing to return to Colorado, where he’ll train with the Norwegian team ahead of a possible World Cup comeback at Beaver Creek. His recovery has been long and painful, but his determination—and cautious optimism—remain unshaken.

One year after 19-year-old Italian ski racer Matilde Lorenzi died in a training crash, prosecutors in Bolzano have reopened the case as a formal criminal investigation. The inquiry names two suspects.

Italian skier Marta Bassino will miss the Sölden season opener after suffering a lateral tibial plateau fracture in training. Her recovery is critical ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Ava Sunshine and Mikaela Shiffrin celebrate in Levi 2022: GEPA pictures Ava Sunshine was just

After months of recovery and two knee surgeries, Slovak ski star Petra Vlhová is back on snow. Training under new head coach Matej Gemza, she begins her comeback on Italy’s Stelvio Glacier—an important step toward returning to World Cup form.

Austrian standout Marco Schwarz says he’s finally pain-free and ready to tackle the Olympic season with renewed focus on giant slalom, slalom, and super-G after battling through two major injuries. The 30-year-old told Kleine Zeitung that he hasn’t felt knee pain since June and plans a patient buildup after a mixed comeback season. Schwarz will skip early downhills but continue limited speed training as he works toward full form ahead of the World Cup opener Oct. 25–26 in Sölden. Information translated from German and provided by Kleine Zeitung (Austria), with reporting by Daniel Jerovsek.

Dorota Dorota Tlalka-Mogore PAP/Wojciech Kryński Sept. 26 — After a long and hard battle with

Federica Brignone, the dominant force of the 2024–25 Alpine World Cup season, broke her leg at the Italian Nationals, leaving her Olympic return uncertain just months before the Games in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Italian skier Matteo Franzoso has died in Santiago after failing to survive an induced coma following severe head injuries from a training crash at La Parva, according to FISI.org. The 25-year-old, who would have turned 26 this week, struck safety fencing after a jump and never recovered. His death is another tragedy to strike the Italian team in less than a year.

Italian speed specialist Matteo Franzoso remains in critical condition after crashing in training at La Parva, Chile. The 25-year-old suffered severe head trauma and was flown to a hospital in Santiago, according to FISI and reports from skinews.ch.

Marcel Hirscher is back on snow. The eight-time overall World Cup champion made his first turns in the Zoetermeer indoor ski hall, 277 days after tearing the cruciate ligament in his left knee. The comeback marks the latest step for the 67-time World Cup winner, who returned to racing under the Dutch flag last season before injury cut his campaign short.

to celebrate the life of legendary coach Erich Sailer. The event runs from 2–6 p.m., with the service beginning at 3 p.m., and will be held outdoors to welcome all who were inspired by him. Guests are asked to RSVP online and can also share photos, videos, and memories. A livestream will be available for those unable to attend in person.

Erich Sailer, who died at 99, was one of the most influential coaches in U.S. ski racing history. From a rope-tow hill at Buck Hill, Minnesota, to the world’s biggest stages, he shaped generations of Olympians, World Cup winners, and thousands of young racers and families. More than results, his legacy lives in the confidence, discipline, and love he instilled in everyone he coached—a touchstone of greatness whose influence will ripple for generations.

Sarrazin’s crash on the Stelvio, the slope set to host the men’s Olympic downhill this February, has renewed concerns about safety. The fall last December highlighted just how unforgiving Bormio can be in midwinter.

Organizers point out that conditions in February — with more direct sun and the opportunity to prepare the piste from top to bottom in a more uniform manner — should make the Olympic surface safer. Still, the questions raised by his accident continue to echo as the Games approach.

For Sarrazin, the focus is no longer on what was lost but on what lies ahead. His determination is clear: recover fully, return in 2026–27, and chase the dream of competing at the 2030 Olympics in front of a home crowd.

German Biathlon ski champion Laura Dahlmeier died in a climbing accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan at age 31. Struck by rockfall at 5,700 meters, she died instantly, according to her representatives. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and lifelong mountaineer, Dahlmeier leaves behind a legacy of courage, humility, and excellence.

Federica Brignone continues her recovery after a leg fracture ended her record-setting World Cup season, and while her timeline for returning to training remains uncertain, her brother and coach Davide Brignone says the 2026 Cortina Olympics are still possible.

After breaking both legs in a World Cup crash, Sam DuPratt fought his way back to the start gate in Val Gardena—three years later, on the same hill. This is the story of grit, setbacks, and a comeback built on total ownership.

Six months after a major knee injury, Marcel Hirscher has been medically cleared to return and plans to use his remaining 17 World Cup wild card starts to launch his comeback. With training ramping up, the eight-time overall champion is focused on racing again—sooner rather than later.