Cyprien Sarrazin, the French alpine ski speed star, is in intensive care following a severe crash during downhill training in Bormio on Friday, December 27.
The 30-year-old, known for his speed on the slopes, suffered a subdural haematoma, a type of brain bleed, after crashing just before the final training session ahead of Saturday’s race.
According to the French Ski Federation, Sarrazin is conscious and remains under close medical surveillance.
The crash occurred during the final training run, when Sarrazin, who had been the fastest in Thursday’s session, appeared poised to repeat his success at the Italian resort, where he won last year’s downhill event.
In the moments leading up to the accident, Sarrazin was riding high, having posted the best time in the previous day’s training.
However, disaster struck when he hit a bump before a left-hand turn. The force of the impact launched him into the air, sending him tumbling uncontrollably.
Sarrazin fell hard on his back and slid down the slope, losing most of his momentum before eventually sliding under the safety netting, where emergency personnel were quickly on the scene.
Despite the violent nature of the crash, Sarrazin remained conscious and was able to communicate. He was reported to have complained of foot pain as he was attended to and prepared for airlifting to the hospital.
The helicopter took off just 15 minutes after the crash, underscoring the urgency of the situation. Sarrazin was transported to a nearby hospital, where he is receiving treatment for his injuries.
Sarrazin’s crash has sent shockwaves through the alpine skiing community. Having finished second to Swiss skier Marco Odermatt in the Beaver Creek Super G earlier this month, Sarrazin was in top form, looking to challenge for podium finishes once again.
His performance in the Bormio training had been promising, and his sudden injury raises concerns for his upcoming races in the World Cup season.
The crash comes on the heels of a disappointing result in Val Gardena earlier this month, where Sarrazin failed to break into the top 10. Despite that setback, he had shown signs of recovery and resilience, determined to bounce back from his earlier struggles.
In 2023, Sarrazin finished as runner-up in the Downhill World Cup standings, trailing only Odermatt.
As Sarrazin remains under observation, the alpine skiing world is also focused on another skier involved in Friday’s training session. Pietro Zazzi, an Italian skier, was airlifted to the hospital with what appeared to be a serious knee injury.
Zazzi lost his balance on the Stelvio slope and collided head-first with a gate. This particular slope will also be used in the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, adding extra significance to the event.
Both crashes underscore the dangers of downhill skiing, a sport that requires unparalleled skill and precision, where athletes constantly push their limits.
The injuries have cast a shadow over the upcoming race weekend in Bormio, where Sarrazin had hoped to perform strongly once again. As Sarrazin’s condition stabilizes, fans and fellow athletes alike will be hoping for his swift recovery and return to the slopes.
