Austrian skier Daniel Hemetsberger crashes but vows to race after terrifying 100 km/h fall
A dramatic crash during the second downhill training run on the Stelvio slope left Austrian skier Daniel Hemetsberger shaken but determined to compete. The incident overshadowed the day's results, which saw Italian racers dominate the top three positions. Hemetsberger, known for his resilience, remains focused on racing in Saturday's downhill event despite the setback.
The crash occurred as Hemetsberger struck a gate at nearly 100 km/h, losing his helmet on impact. After the fall, he underwent a precautionary medical check, with doctors suspecting a mild concussion. The skier later admitted to repeating a mistake he had made previously in Kitzbühel.
Despite the severity of the crash, Hemetsberger managed to find some humour in the situation. He noted that his mouthguard had saved him from losing teeth, a small relief amid his long history of injuries. Over his career, he has endured four torn ACLs and multiple other setbacks, yet this has not dampened his resolve.
Meanwhile, the training run results placed Italians Mattia Casse, Florian Schieder, and Giovanni Franzoni in the top three spots. The Austrian team saw Stefan Babinsky, Vincent Kriechmayr, and Raphael Haaser finishing in 11th, 12th, and 13th place respectively. Hemetsberger, who has never raced in a downhill event at the Alpine Ski World Championships or Olympic Winter Games, remains eager to make his mark this weekend.
Hemetsberger's crash has raised questions about his condition ahead of Saturday's race, but his determination to compete remains firm. The Austrian team will now prepare for the event, with their focus split between recovery and performance. The Italians, meanwhile, enter the downhill with strong momentum after their training success.
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