Swiss skier Gino Caviezel suffered severe injuries during the Super-G event at Bormio on December 29, 2024. The race had already seen multiple dangerous incidents, intensifying discussions on athlete safety.
Caviezel, who wore bib number one, experienced a horrifying fall as he attempted the challenging course at Bormio, one of the most prestigious and exhilarating stops on the World Cup circuit. After losing control and hooking his ski on one of the gates, the 32-year-old spun out of control and began to slide down the steep slope at approximately 100 kilometers per hour.
The incident caused immediate alarm. Caviezel's screams of pain were clearly audible on broadcast, prompting emergency teams to rush to his aid. He remained conscious after the fall, offering signals for help as he lay on the slope, which was unfortunately littered with reminders of other significant accidents throughout the weekend.
Shortly after the crash, medical personnel provided urgent care before Caviezel was airlifted to the nearest hospital. Swiss-Ski released initial findings indicating he had sustained both a dislocated shoulder and what they described as "a complex knee injury." These injuries have raised concerns about his ability to compete for the remainder of the season, with doctors conducting more thorough examinations to assess the extent of his knee damage.
This incident exemplifies the dangerous nature of alpine skiing, particularly at Bormio, where the stunning yet perilous Stelvio slope had seen another serious crash just prior: French skier Cyprien Sarrazin underwent emergency surgery for a head injury resulting from another fall during training. Such incidents have fed mounting scrutiny over safety protocols within the sport.
After Caviezel's fall, the race organizers imposed a pause of approximately 20 minutes to tend to his injuries and allow reactions to settle. Competitors returning to the course expressed the heavy psychological impact of witnessing such wrecks. Marco Odermatt, who finished fifth, articulated the prevailing sentiment, stating, "Too much has happened this week to ski with full risk." His words echoed the anxiety shared by many as they faced the reality of competing under such hazardous conditions.
Stefan Rogentin added the need to mentally process the images from Caviezel's crash before racing again, emphasizing the emotional toll incidents like this can have on athletes. Rogentin remarked, "You have to get images like the fall of Gino Caviezel out of your head." Skiing at high speeds across treacherous terrain is undeniably thrilling for both participants and spectators, but the inherent risks have come sharply to the forefront of discussions.
Following this series of accidents, including injuries to other competitors such as Josua Mettler, who tore both his anterior cruciate ligaments, discussions have heightened around the implementation of safety gear, particularly the use of airbag vests. Although FIS has mandated these vests for speed events like the Super-G and downhill races, exceptions can be made for athletes presenting valid medical, technical, or physiological reasons. This flexibility has drawn mixed reactions, as many athletes often forgo wearing them, feeling they limit mobility or raise concerns about malfunction.
Caviezel’s injuries mark the latest chapter of misfortune for the Swiss ski team, who have already faced numerous setbacks this season. For Gino, this incident also brings back memories of his elder brother Mauro Caviezel, who was forced to retire from racing due to injuries resulting from severe crashes two years prior. For Gino, it serves as yet another reminder of the perilous nature of his profession.
Caviezel's condition remains under close observation, and it is uncertain how this injury will impact his career moving forward. One thing is clear: the Bormio Super-G, filled with peaks of daring and steep drops, serves as both a proving ground for elite athletes and as a vivid reminder of the risks they face each day on the slopes.
With the ski community rallying support for Caviezel, all eyes will remain on his recovery process and the subsequent measures sports authorities may undertake to improve safety practices within alpine skiing.