BORMIO, Italy — French ski racer Cyprien Sarrazin is currently in intensive care with a head injury following a training accident for a World Cup downhill race. The crash occurred on the challenging slope that is set to host events during the 2026 Winter Olympics. Last season, Sarrazin claimed victory in the downhill event held in Bormio.
According to the French Ski Federation, Sarrazin was conscious following the incident but was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, which involves bleeding near the brain. Shortly after the crash, the federation announced that he would undergo surgery later in the day to address the injury.
The accident also involved Italian skier Pietro Zazzi, who was airlifted to a hospital with injuries including a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula in his right leg. Zazzi is being transported to Milan for surgery scheduled for the following day. The incidents have raised concerns regarding the safety of the Stelvio slope, which is being prepared for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Nils Allègre, a teammate of Sarrazin, expressed criticisms regarding the course’s preparation. He stated that despite decades of experience in preparing courses, the organizers seem incapable of ensuring safety, labeling the setup as dangerous. Allègre’s comments emphasize his discontent, suggesting that the safety of athletes should be prioritized, especially with the Olympics approaching.
In the same training session, Swiss skier Josua Mettler also experienced a crash and is returning to Switzerland for further evaluation of a knee injury. Race director Omar Galli responded to the criticisms by stating that significant safety measures have been upgraded and will continue to be evaluated for the Olympics.
Galli dismissed the claims regarding inadequate course preparation, inviting critics to witness the hard work that goes into the course management in various weather conditions. He acknowledged that opinions on course safety will vary among athletes and that it can be challenging to find a universally acceptable solution.
During the accident, Sarrazin had been showing promising speed, having been the fastest in the earlier training run. He lost control after hitting a bump and was thrown into the air before landing on his back, eventually coming to a stop due to the safety netting.
Galli emphasized the role of various uncontrollable factors in outdoor sports, such as weather conditions, equipment issues, and human error, which can contribute to the risks involved. Despite the criticism, he reassured the effort put into preparing the course as best as possible under varying conditions.
Sarrazin had a remarkable previous season in the World Cup circuit, achieving four victories, but he has yet to secure a win in the 2024-25 season. The training session was led by Canadian Cameron Alexander, followed by Switzerland’s Stefan Rogentin and Austria’s Stefan Babinsky. A downhill race is scheduled for Saturday with a super-G event planned for Sunday.
Galli remarked on the challenging nature of the Stelvio slope, known for its difficulty among the world’s ski courses. In another development, Swiss skier Yannick Chabloz announced his retirement at the age of 25, motivated by a severe crash on the Stelvio two years prior, marking that incident as the end of his competitive career.
The upcoming men’s Alpine skiing events during the 2026 Winter Olympics will occur in Bormio, while the women’s events are set for Cortina d’Ampezzo, with the two locations approximately a five-hour drive apart.
