BORMIO, Italy — The men’s World Cup super-G event faced an unfortunate beginning on Sunday when the very first competitor suffered a severe crash on the slope designated for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics.

Gino Caviezel, a Swiss skier, became the third athlete to be airlifted to a hospital from the Stelvio slope during this weekend’s competitions after his fall occurred approximately 45 seconds into his run.

The Swiss ski federation confirmed that Caviezel was transported back to Switzerland via Swiss Air Rescue. Preliminary assessments revealed that he experienced a dislocated shoulder, which has since been realigned, in addition to a complicated knee injury that requires further evaluation.

The 32-year-old skier collided with a gate and fell down the slope, but he was conscious at the time he stopped, indicating pain in his knee to the emergency responders who arrived to assist him.

Sunday’s race continued after a pause of nearly 20 minutes for Caviezel’s treatment before he was airlifted to medical facilities.

In a similar vein, French skier Cyprien Sarrazin and Italy’s Pietro Zazzi were also transported by helicopter after sustaining injuries in separate downhill training incidents on Friday.

Sarrazin underwent surgery to address bleeding near his brain, while Zazzi required an operation due to a leg injury.