Ski Jumping Competition: Pinkelnig withdraws from Winter Olympics following accident at Predazzo event
Eva Pinkelnig, a 37-year-old ski jumper from Austria, will not be participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy in February. The news comes after a heavy fall during competition on Thursday that resulted in injuries requiring surgery.
Pinkelnig had been in top form leading up to the crash, with recent successes in World Cup events and the World Championships. She won a World Cup event as recently as January and collected silver and bronze in team competitions at the World Championships in Trondheim earlier this year. In the 2022-23 season, Pinkelnig was the overall World Cup winner.
During the competition in Predazzo, the hill set to host the Olympic medal events for the Winter Olympics in Italy, Pinkelnig suffered a heavy fall upon landing. She twisted her ankle and crashed, causing immediate pain and prompting her to grimace as she slid to the bottom of the hill. Tests later confirmed that Pinkelnig tore her cruciate ligament and damaged her meniscus.
The surgery to repair these injuries will effectively end Pinkelnig's season and her participation in the current season. The doctor performing the operation is Christian Fink.
Pinkelnig's absence from the Winter Olympics is a significant loss for the Austrian team, as she has previously competed in the Winter Olympics. Despite this setback, Pinkelnig remains optimistic about her recovery and future in the sport.
The Winter Olympics in Italy will take place in February, and spectators will be eagerly awaiting the competition. While Pinkelnig will not be participating, the event is sure to be a thrilling and exciting spectacle for all involved.
