Marcel Hirscher's comeback season has come to an abrupt end after a serious slip-up in training, resulting in a torn cruciate ligament.
The incident occurred during a training session on the Reiteralm, where Hirscher slipped away and immediately grabbed his left knee.
What happened?
Hirscher described the incident as "a classic inside ski" and described how he got up again relatively quickly after the slip.
He had been enjoying a cool training session until the one turn where he slipped.
Why it matters for Marcel Hirscher
The injury brings an end to Hirscher's comeback season after just three appearances in Sölden, Levi, and Gurgl.
The 35-year-old will undergo surgery in Graz and is aware that such serious knee injuries are part of skiing.
Hirscher has fallen down like this a thousand times, but this time it resulted in a serious injury.
What comes next?
Hirscher will now focus on his recovery and rehabilitation, with the goal of returning to the slopes as soon as possible.
He expressed his gratitude to everyone for their support and acknowledged the tough reality of his situation.
The Austrian is aware that he has been lucky to have avoided such injuries throughout his career, but now faces a challenging road to recovery.
As Hirscher emphasized, "Yesterday was just the thousand hundredth time" he has fallen, but this time it had serious consequences.
He will now undergo surgery and begin the long process of rehabilitation, hoping to return to the sport he loves.
The incident serves as a reminder of the risks and challenges involved in alpine skiing, and Hirscher's determination to overcome this setback will be closely watched.