French skiing champion Alexis Pinturault was airlifted from the slopes with a right knee injury after a dramatic crash during a men’s World Cup super-G race on January 24.
The 33-year-old athlete, known for his three Olympic medals and 34 World Cup victories, was injured after encountering a bump in the course, which caused him to lose control. His ski hit a gate before he slid off the track, eventually coming to a halt.
Pinturault initially attempted to stand but quickly fell back down and pointed to his right knee as medical personnel rushed to his aid.
The French ski federation later confirmed that Pinturault had sustained a significant bone bruise on the medial plateau and a minor fracture of the medial meniscus in his right knee.
He was immediately airlifted from the course, with his wife Romane and their one-year-old daughter Olympe watching from the finish area as the helicopter arrived to transport him for treatment.
The crash occurred at a critical time, just two weeks before the World Ski Championships set to take place in Saalbach-Hinterglemm, Austria.
Swiss skier Marco Odermatt took home the victory in the race, marking the final super-G event for the men ahead of the championship. The results from this race are seen as a key indicator for athletes gearing up for the upcoming competition.
This accident marks a painful setback for Pinturault, who has battled through injuries in the past. Only eight races into his comeback from a lengthy 11-month recovery from a severe left knee injury, Pinturault was hoping to make a strong return to form.
Last year, he suffered a severe injury during a super-G crash in Wengen, Switzerland, which resulted in ruptured cruciate ligaments and a damaged internal meniscus in his left knee.
Following successful surgery, Pinturault made his return to the slopes in December 2024, competing at Beaver Creek, Colorado.
In addition to Pinturault’s injury, French teammate Florian Loriot also crashed at the same spot during the super-G event.
Loriot, who was airlifted with injuries that are still unspecified, joined a list of racers who took tumbles during the race, including Italian Dominik Paris and Austrians Lukas Feurstein and Otmar Striedinger.
While some of these athletes managed to avoid serious injury, the high level of crashes highlights the unpredictable nature of competitive skiing.
Pinturault’s injury is especially disheartening as he was aiming to build momentum ahead of the World Championships in Austria.
Known for his consistency and strength in international skiing, the 2021 World Cup overall champion has claimed eight medals at previous world championships, including three golds.
His ability to bounce back from injuries and still compete at the highest level has made him a celebrated figure in French skiing.
Pinturault’s condition and recovery will be monitored closely, with the skier expected to return to France for treatment.
His absence from the upcoming races will be a significant blow to French skiing, but fans and teammates alike are hopeful that the resilient athlete will recover quickly and return to competitive action in the future.
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