Three-time Olympic medallist airlifted to hospital after horror 50m skiing fall as panicked wife and daughter watch on
Three-time Olympic medallist airlifted to hospital after horror 50m skiing fall as panicked wife and daughter watch on
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OLYMPIC legend Alexis Pinturault was airlifted to hospital following a horror crash on Friday. Pinturault, 33, was taking part in an Alpine skiing World Cup super-G in Kitzbühel, Austria when he found himself needing urgent medical assistance after crashing into a gate.
![[Alexis Pinturault inspecting a ski course.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/frances-alexis-pinturault-inspects-course-966292033.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The three-time Olympic medallist managed to return to his feet and remove his skis before falling to the ground once more in pain. The star's wife, Romane, was watching on in horror alongside their one-year-old daughter from the crowd while Pinturault was airlifted to hospital.
![[Screen grab of a skier crashing during a Super G race.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/screen-grab-taken-finish-area-966285995.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The French Ski Federation have since confirmed that Pinturault has suffered a significant bone bruise on the medial tibial plateau, along with a small fracture and an injury to the medial meniscus. The news will come as huge frustration to the three-time world champion Frenchman after he suffered a season-ending injury this time last year too.
![[Screen grab of Alexis Pinturault crashing during a ski race.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/screen-grab-taken-finish-area-966286120.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
Pinturault tore his left ACL in a 50m fall that required him to be airlifted to hospital as well. Marco Odermatt, 27, went on to win Friday's super-G for his 44th career World Cup victory and opened up about Pinturault's injury, explaining that it's hard to see so soon after his recovery from his ACL issue.
![[A skier being airlifted by helicopter.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/frances-alexis-pinturault-airlifted-helicopter-966288311.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
He said: "It hurts extremely if you know a little bit about Alexis' story.". Friday's race was only Pinturault's eighth return to the slopes since his 11-month layoff with his ACL injury. It's understood that Pinturault will now travel to France to receive treatment for his new injuries.
![[Helicopter airlifting skier.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/frances-alexis-pinturault-airlifted-helicopter-966286342.jpg?strip=all&w=640)
