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.
AFPAlexis Pinturault suffered injury during a horror crash in an Alpine skiing World Cup super-G in Austria on Friday[/caption]
AFPPinturault crashed to the floor[/caption]
AFPHe looked to be in a lot of pain[/caption]
AFPThe three-time Olympic medallist was airlifted from the slope[/caption]
AFPPinturault was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment[/caption]
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.
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.
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.
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.
The superstar’s teammate Florian Loriot also crashed at the same spot and was airlifted away with unknown injuries.
While Italian skier Dominik Paris and Austrians Lukas Feurstein and Otmar Striedinger were also involved in crashes.
However, the pair appeared to avoid any serious injuries.
ReutersPinturault suffered a season-ending ACL injury this time last year[/caption]
ReutersHe was airlifted away from the slopes back then too[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
