Industry News
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Canadian ski racer Broderick Thompson suffered a shocking crash in training on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at Beaver Creek, Colorado. The crash happened shortly after the “Golden Eagle Jump” on the Birds of Prey course. Austria’s national head coach Marko Pfeifer witnessed the crash, calling it one of the worst crashes he had ever seen. Beaver Creek is set to host the men’s FIS World Cup this weekend and had three training sessions scheduled on the race course before the actual races.
Following the crash, Thompson was flown by helicopter to a Denver hospital. Doctors were suspecting a blood clot on the brain and were expecting the worst for a few hours. Thankfully, on Thursday, November 30, in the afternoon, the all-clear came from the hospital in Denver: Broderick is conscious and responsive. The exact extent of his injuries is unclear at this point.
“National Ski Team member Broderick Thompson sustained head injuries in a fall during training ahead of this weeks World Cup races in Beaver Creek, Colorado. Broderick was airlifted to Denver Health Centre where he is receiving the best possible care. He is alert and his condition is stable, and he is showing steady improvement.”
— Alpine Canada
Two years ago, the Canadian celebrated his personal best with a third place in the Super-G at the Beaver Creek World Cup. The 29-year-old Canadian has been competing on the World Cup circuit since 2015.
The site of the accident is the same location where World Champion Aksel Lund Svindal crashed in training in November 2007, suffering near career-ending injuries. Svindal had also landed badly after the Golden Eagle Jump and had somersaulted into a safety fence. Svindal suffered several broken bones in his face and a six-inch laceration to his groin and abdominal area.
Thompson’s crash has not been the only accident this week, U.S. ski racer Erik Arvidsson crashed on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, in training as well, suffering an ACL and LCL tear, ending the season for him prematurely. Training for Thursday, November 30, 2023, was canceled due to poor visibility. The first race will take place on Friday, December 1, 2023. In total, Beaver Creek will host three men’s speed events: two Downhill races and one Super-G race.
