Athlete injuries

Two of the top three Super-G skiers, including a rising Norwegian star, will miss this weekend’s Hahnenkamm Super-G in Kitzbühel. Injuries from last week’s downhill in Wengen have shaken up the field, leaving a golden opportunity for others to climb the standings.

Petra Vlhová, one of Alpine skiing’s brightest stars and Mikaela Shiffrin’s fiercest rival, will miss the 2025 World Championships in Saalbach as she continues her recovery from a serious knee injury sustained last season. Despite positive progress in her rehabilitation, Vlhová and her coach, Mauro Pini, confirmed she is not yet ready to compete for medals. The Slovakian champion is now setting her sights on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina.

Vincent Kriechmayr, Austria's top speed skier, strained his medial ligament in a high-speed crash at Wengen's Lauberhorn downhill. With Kitzbühel ruled out, his participation in the Saalbach World Championships hangs in the balance.

The Lauberhorn Downhill in Wengen, Switzerland, is the longest and most grueling race on the World Cup circuit, testing racers’ endurance over its 4.5-kilometer course. Known for breathtaking views of the Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau mountains, this iconic race features extreme challenges like the 87% incline “Hundschopf” jump and speeds exceeding 160 km/h on the “Haneggschuss” straight. With the first men’s downhill of 2025 set for January 18, fans can expect intense competition as Swiss racers aim to maintain their dominance while North American athletes, led by Cochran-Siegle and Alexander, look to make their mark.

"Are Skiers Training All Wrong?"

Alpine skiing is at a breaking point. Four severe injuries in Bormio during New Year’s week have reignited debates about the sport’s safety, and Swiss legend Paul Accola isn’t holding back. “Many athletes train incorrectly,” he declared in an interview with Blick.ch. With seven World Cup victories and a reputation for unconventional thinking, Accola is challenging the modern approach to training and youth development, claiming it leaves skiers vulnerable to injuries and unprepared for the unpredictable demands of racing. His bold critiques, grounded in his own storied career, demand attention—and may spark the change alpine skiing desperately needs.

Mikaela Shiffrin recently shared a positive update on her recovery journey following her injury in Killington. In an Instagram post, she revealed three milestones: "I can laugh, I could start driving this week, and my abs are starting to come back." While her progress is encouraging, the timeline for her return to the World Cup remains uncertain, leaving fans eager for more news.

After a devastating crash in Bormio, Cyprien Sarrazin faces a challenging road to recovery. With head injuries impacting his daily life, hope remains as he begins a long rehabilitation journey.

French skier Cyprien Sarrazin is making encouraging progress after his severe crash during training on Bormio's Stelvio course. Following emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, Sarrazin has left intensive care and is set to transfer to a hospital in Lyon. While his recovery offers hope, he is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024/25 season and aim for a return in 2025/26.

A men’s World Cup super-G began in dramatic fashion Sunday when the first skier, Switzerland's Gino Caviezel, crashed heavily on the Stelvio slope, which will host events at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

French skier Cyprien Sarrazin is awake and in stable condition following surgery on a head injury sustained during a crash in World Cup downhill training on Bormio’s Stelvio course. Sarrazin, last season’s downhill winner on the same slope, underwent an operation to drain a brain bleed and remains under observation. Italian skier Pietro Zazzi also crashed during training, breaking his tibia and fibula, and is recovering after surgery in Milan. Saturday’s downhill race was won by Swiss skier Alexis Monney, while the Stelvio course prepares to host men’s events for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.

French World Cup skier Cyprien Sarrazin suffered a severe head injury during a dramatic crash on the Stelvio downhill course in Bormio, Italy, Friday. Known for its demanding terrain, the course claimed Sarrazin after he landed hard off a roll and crashed through safety nets, prompting an airlift rescue. Diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, the Frenchman underwent emergency surgery, as confirmed by the French Ski Federation. Sarrazin had recorded the fastest training time just a day earlier and was eager to repeat his success from last season’s Bormio downhill. His crash has sparked renewed concerns over the icy, inconsistent conditions of this year’s course, with several racers criticizing its preparation and safety measures.

The Bormio Stelvio's Carcentina and San Pietro Jump demand precision, power, and endurance. Last year, Canada’s Cameron Alexander earned a podium finish, while Wiley Maple led the U.S. racers with 12th. North American standouts like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Bryce Bennett, James Crawford, and Brodie Seger are poised to showcase their skills on this formidable course this season.

Olympic slalom champion Petra Vlhová has had a setback in her ski racing injury return from Jasná GS knee injury and surgery.

VAL D’ISÈRE, France – Marco Schwarz is making his highly anticipated return to the World Cup circuit this weekend. The Austrian skier will compete in Sunday’s slalom in Val d’Isère, nearly a year after suffering a cruciate ligament tear and just three and a half months after disc surgery.

“It’s worse than expected, and I need surgery,” AJ Ginnis told skinews.ch, confirming earlier reports of knee problems.

After the tragic passing of 19-year-old Italian ski talent Matilde Lorenzi, her family remembers her as a young woman full of life, talent, and promise. Her older sister, Lucrezia, shared a touching message about their unique bond, reflecting Matilde’s legacy on and off the slopes. “She was an incredible sister,” Lucrezia told Sky Sport. “I want to remember her as happy and successful on skis.” The sisters, deeply connected by a love of skiing, cherished their time together on the mountains. “Her soul is in mine,” Lucrezia said, “we shared many things and were very close.”

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde, the Norwegian skiing star, continues his challenging journey to return to the World Cup circuit after a devastating crash at the Lauberhorn in January 2024. His fiancée, fellow superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, has offered emotional support as Kilde recovers from a dislocated shoulder and a severe leg injury. The road back is filled with physical and mental challenges, but Kilde remains determined.

Petra Vlhová, the remarkable Slovakian Olympic Champion, has been the only athlete to challenge the slalom dominance of the Stifel US Ski Team's superstar Mikaela Shiffrin. Vlhová’s fierce competitiveness and immense skill made her a strong contender for the 2024 season slalom title. However, her season took an unexpected turn when she suffered a devastating injury while racing giant slalom in her home World Cup race in Jasná, Slovakia.