After a frightening crash last year, Mikaela Shiffrin returned to skiing with heightened awareness of the risks involved in training. The American skier, recovering from a puncture wound and severe abdominal muscle damage, emphasized the potential dangers on training courses, which she considered comparable to race tracks in terms of risk levels.
Similarly, French skier Alexis Pinturault acknowledged the unsafe training conditions prevalent in their sport. The safety discussions in Alpine skiing gained urgency following the tragic death of Matteo Franzoso during preseason training in Chile, just months before the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics.
Shiffrin, a decorated Olympic champion, admitted to grappling with post-traumatic stress upon resuming skiing post-injury. She emphasized the need to assess and mitigate risks in the sport, highlighting the inadequate safety standards on training courses compared to official race tracks.
Sofia Goggia, the 2018 Olympic downhill champion, likened ski racing to extreme sports like F1 and MotoGP, stressing the inherent risks involved at high speeds. While races are equipped with sufficient safety nets, training courses often lack the same level of safety measures, leading to preventable accidents.
In response to the recent tragedies, calls have been made for dedicated training courses with improved safety standards worldwide. FIS President Johan Eliasch emphasized the need for enhanced safety measures, including better preparation of courses and increased medical support during training sessions.
Despite financial constraints hindering safety upgrades on training courses, efforts are underway to address the issue collaboratively. National federations and organizations like FIS are working towards implementing stricter safety protocols to minimize risks for athletes during training.
The debate over funding for safety enhancements continues, with Eliasch highlighting the need for leading nations to invest more in ensuring safer training environments. Athletes and coaches are hopeful for better coordination and support from federations to enhance safety standards in ski training facilities globally.
