Alexis Pinturault ruptures ACL in heavy crash in Wengen Super G
Two-time alpine combined world champion was airlifted to hospital after falling on the Silberhornsprung jump with the French Ski Federation saying he "did not lose consciousness".
Alpine Skiing
French skier Alexis Pinturault was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after suffering a heavy fall in the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup Super G at Wengen on Friday (12 January).
Pinturault, who announced that he would focus more on speed events this season, was chasing what would turn out to be countryman Cyprien Sarrazin's winning time when his run met an abrupt end.
The 32-year-old was slightly unbalanced as he took the Silberhornsprung jump near the end of the test on the Lauberhorn and half-landed on his heels before completely losing control.
His left knee took most of the impact before both skis came off as he tumbled down the hill with Sarrazin clearly worried for his teammate.
Pinturault remained motionless on the course as marshals and medical staff came to attend to him. There was a lengthy delay as a helicopter arrived to take him to hospital with racing eventually resuming half an hour later.
The French Ski Federation released a statement later on Friday, saying, "After a fall during the Wengen Super G, Alexis Pinturault suffered a left knee (injury) and has pain in his wrist. He was airlifted to Interlaken to undergo examination. He did not lose consciousness."
The federation then published a post on X, formerly Twitter, stating that Pinturault had ruptured his ACL and that he would return to France for further assessment with his season "unfortunately over".
Two-time alpine combined world champion Pinturault had his first top-10 downhill finish - taking ninth place - on Thursday.
The three-time Olympic medallist missed last weekend's giant slalom at Adelboden as wife Romane gave birth to their first child on Saturday.