Athletes Health

Switzerland has dominated the World Cup downhill season, but with two regular-season races left before the Finals, the fight isn’t over. Odermatt leads the standings, but Von Allmen and Monney are keeping the pressure on, while Crawford and Hrobat look to break up the Swiss control. Kvitfjell’s Olympiabakken course, with its fast gliding sections and daring jumps, promises another thrilling showdown. Can anyone stop Switzerland, or will the Swiss tighten their grip on the title?

Mattia Casse crashed in Kvitfjell downhill training, suffering a fractured elbow. The Super-G winner now faces surgery, ending his chances of challenging Marco Odermatt for the crystal globe.

French skier Cyprien Sarrazin is recovering faster than expected from a head injury suffered in a downhill training crash in Bormio but remains uncertain about his future in racing. While he still struggles with double vision, he says the fire to compete is still there—though he’s taking his time before making any decisions.

Crans-Montana’s Nationale course makes its men’s World Cup downhill debut, offering racers their first test of the 2027 World Championship track. With high-speed gliding, technical sections, and multiple jumps, the course demands precision and power. Fresh off his World Championship gold, Switzerland’s Franjo Von Allmen leads a stacked field, with Marco Odermatt, James Crawford, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle among the top challengers. Can Switzerland maintain its downhill dominance, or will North American skiers shake up the podium?

Despite enduring a grueling two-year recovery from devastating leg injuries, Max Franz is back on skis, embracing each step of his comeback with resilience and optimism. Testing his long skis as a forerunner in the women’s speed events at the World Championships, he proved to himself that his return to racing is no longer just a dream. "It was a long, hard road," he admitted, recalling the struggles of rehabilitation and the patience required to rebuild his strength. But each milestone, from conquering jumps to skiing a full downhill run, has reignited his confidence. With cautious optimism, Franz now eyes the ultimate goal—a return to the World Cup circuit—one step at a time.

Canadian ski racer Cameron Alexander is out of the 2025 FIS World Ski Championships after injuring his knee in downhill training. The recent Kitzbühel podium finisher will return to Canada for further evaluation.

Mikaela Shiffrin, the winningest Alpine skier in World Cup history, is set to make her highly anticipated return to competition on January 30, 2025, just 60 days after a season-disrupting abdominal injury. In an exclusive interview with Ski Racing Media, Shiffrin opened up about the challenges of her recovery, from rebuilding muscle strength to balancing training with healing, and reflected on her excitement to race again. She also shared her thoughts on Petra Vlhová’s absence and the resilience it takes to return mid-season, offering fans a glimpse into her journey back to the top of the sport.

The legendary Kitzbühel Hahnenkamm Downhill is more than just a race—it's the ultimate test of courage, skill, and resilience in alpine skiing. From the adrenaline-fueled Mausefalle jump to the treacherous Hausberg Traverse and the lightning-fast Zielsprung finish, every section of the Streif demands perfection. While Swiss racers have dominated this season, North American stars like Ryan Cochran-Siegle, Cameron Alexander, Bryce Bennett, and James Crawford are ready to battle for glory. Dive into the full article to discover the stories, contenders, and drama surrounding the most iconic race in ski racing history.

Mikaela Shiffrin is set to return to World Cup racing next week in Courchevel after a grueling recovery from a life-threatening injury sustained in Killington. A crash left her with severe oblique trauma and a puncture wound dangerously close to her colon, requiring weeks of intense physical therapy and mental resilience. Shiffrin, supported by her Stifel U.S. Ski Team staff, is focused on progression rather than chasing records, viewing this return as a vital step in her journey back to peak form.

Tommy Ford, the last American male to win a World Cup giant slalom, has suffered a tibial head fracture in his right leg during training at Adelboden's Chuenisbärgli race venue. This injury, which required surgery in Vail, Colorado, has prematurely ended his 2024-25 World Cup season1. Ford, who has a complex history with Adelboden, including a severe crash in 2021, expressed disappointment but gratitude in an Instagram post1. This setback halts Ford's hopes of competing in his sixth World Championship and continues his challenging relationship with the Swiss venue.

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.

The Cortina super-G was an exciting day full of emotion. Italian, Federica Brignone achieves her first victory in Cortina. Lara Gut-Behrami earns 2nd and Corinne Suter 3rd. Lindsey Vonn goes out, but was in contention for a top result.

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.