Cyprien Sarrazin suffers brain bleed in Bormio downhill training crash
The French speed star is "conscious and remains under surveilance" in hospital after suffering a heavy fall in the final training session at the Italian resort.
Alpine Skiing
Cyprien Sarrazin is in intensive care in hospital after crashing heavily in downhill training in Bormio on Friday (27 December).
The French Ski Federation revealed that the alpine ski speed star had suffered a subdural haematoma, a type of brain bleed. He is "conscious and remains under surveilance".
Sarrazin, who won last year at the Italian resort, was quickest in Thursday training and looked on course to repeat that feat in the final session before Saturday’s race. However, his run came to an abrupt end as he hit a bump before a left-hand turn which sent him up into the air.
The 30-year-old then fell hard on his back and was sent careering down the slope, losing most of his initial speed before sliding under the safety netting where he was quickly attended to.
With Sarrazin out of the shot of the TV cameras, he was treated and readied for airlifting to hospital. The helicopter took off just 15 minutes after the crash with the athlete reportedly conscious and complaining of foot pain.
After finishing second to Marco Odermatt in the Beaver Creek Super G earlier this month, Sarrazin failed to make the top 10 in Val Gardena before his return to Bormio. He was the runner-up in last year’s downhill World Cup series, also behind Odermatt.
Pietro Zazzi was also taken by helicopter to hospital with what looked a serious knee injury. The home skier lost his balance before ploughing head-first through a gate on the Stelvio slope which will be used for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.