PARIS — The Kitzbühel Super-G, held on January 24, 2025, was marred by dramatic falls from several French skiers, raising serious safety concerns. Marco Odermatt of Switzerland triumphed on the famed Streif course, but the focus of the day shifted quickly as multiple athletes from the French team found themselves in distress.
Alexis Pinturault, one of France's top alpine skiers, faced a severe fall just 20 seconds after starting his run. The 32-year-old athlete reportedly became caught on a troublesome hole on the track, leading to him tumbling onto his right knee, which has previously suffered injuries. Eyewitness accounts described the chaotic scene as medical personnel quickly attended to Pinturault, who remained on the ground until he was airlifted to Sankt Johann hospital for evaluation.
Florian Loriot also met with disaster at the very same spot, falling heavily and crashing through protective nets after losing balance. Like Pinturault, he had been performing well, achieving a respectable ninth place finish at Bormio earlier this month. Unfortunately, on this occasion, Loriot did not escape unscathed; he suffered a concussion and will be kept under observation overnight, though initial medical imaging proved normal.
Nils Alphand, another promising skater, joined his teammates by crashing later on the course and had to contend with the aftermath of the earlier incidents. Although Alphand's fall was serious enough to interrupt the race, he managed to stand up and ski to the finish area, receiving applause from the concerned crowd. Matthieu Bailet also experienced difficulties, losing control moments later on the same treacherous turn but recovering without injury.
The chaos didn’t end there; as the race progressed, there were subsequent interruptions due to the hazardous conditions left behind by the falls. Nils Allègre, who enjoyed one of the more stable performances among the French, finished 14th, providing some glimmer of hope amid the day's calamities.
Marco Odermatt, for his part, managed to secure his first Super-G win on the famed Kitzbühel track, edging out Raphael Haaser by just 11 hundredths of a second. Celebrated for his blend of speed and technical finesse, Odermatt declared, "It’s a dream to win here; I think it’s the hardest track out there." His victory adds to his growing catalogue of achievements, marking his 44th World Cup win as he continues to dominate the alpine skiing scene.
The day’s poor outcomes for the French team highlighted what has been termed as "the curse of Kitzbühel" for the squad, with past injuries and misfortunes layering considerable pressure over their current performances. Frequent injuries throughout the alpine season, including those of Cyprien Sarrazin and Blaise Giezendanner, have compounded the challenges faced by the Blue Team.
After the race, concerns were voiced not only about the safety measures on the course but also about the general direction of the sport. Pinturault himself, speaking prior to the race, pointed out the increasing risk of severe accidents more prevalent than ever, reflecting on the inherent dangers of alpine skiing.
While there was relief following the recovery of the fallen athletes, their accidents prompted discussions on how to improve safety protocols to prevent future occurrences. Observers noted the track's difficulty, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight and potential modifications to the course to cater for athlete safety.
The question of how the French skiers will fare going forward remains prominent as they segue from Kitzbühel to upcoming competitions. Saturday’s downhill event, coupled with Sunday’s slalom, will continue to test the resilience and fortitude of the injured as they strive to rebound amid what appears to be tumultuous times for the talented French team.
Following the super-G, the indicators remain grim, with half of the French competitors unable to finish the race. Fans and pundits alike hope for quick recoveries and safe returns for Pinturault, Loriot, and their teammates. The challenging winter season is not yet over, and the spotlight will continue to hover over the athletes as they address the aftermath of the Kitzbühel mishaps.