Injury

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.

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.

Petra Vlhová, Mikaela Shiffrin’s fiercest rival, is battling to return after a second knee surgery. With her future in ski racing uncertain, she shares the emotional toll of her recovery and the hope that still drives her.

Federica Brignone, the 34-year-old Italian star who dominated the 2024-25 World Cup season with four titles, is now facing a long recovery after a serious knee injury. She’s out of the hospital and already focused on rehab—determined, upbeat, and not ready to quit.

ChatGPT said: Aleksander Aamodt Kilde is recovering from a complex shoulder surgery that involved transplanting part of his hamstring—and he's already thinking about a return to racing before the 2026 Olympics. While the World Cup Finals play out in Sun Valley, the Norwegian speed star is taking cautious steps back to health in Innsbruck. Here's how he's staying motivated—and what might come next.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.