Industry News
Czech alpine skier Tereza Nova, 26, is in a medically induced coma after a severe crash during World Cup downhill training on Friday, January 24, the Czech Ski Federation confirmed Saturday, January 25. “Tereza Nova has been placed in an induced coma following her fall during downhill training yesterday (Friday) in Garmisch-Partenkirchen. She underwent surgery to reduce brain swelling at the Murnau hospital and will remain in a medically induced coma for as long as the medical team deems necessary,” the federation said in a statement.
Nova’s fall occurred during the final training session on the demanding Kandahar course, known for its steep descents and punishing speed. She was immediately airlifted to the hospital in Murnau, a leading facility for trauma injuries, where doctors performed emergency brain surgery. The decision to induce a coma reflects a medical strategy to manage severe brain trauma by reducing swelling and protecting the brain from further damage. This approach gives the body time to recover and minimizes complications such as seizures or increased intracranial pressure, both of which can follow traumatic head injuries.
Nova, a rising star in Czech skiing, has competed on the World Cup circuit since 2019. She represented her country at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, with her best result being 14th place in the combined event. Known for her technical precision and fearlessness, Nova is part of a new generation of skiers carrying the hopes of Czech alpine sports. The skiing community has rallied behind Nova, with fans and athletes sharing messages of support. “We are all thinking of Tereza and wish her a speedy recovery and lots of strength,” a spokesperson for the Czech ski association told the newspaper “Sport.”
Nova’s compatriot and Olympic champion Ester Ledecka, who won gold in skiing’s super-G and snowboarding’s parallel giant slalom at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, chose not to compete in Saturday’s Downhill event. Italy’s Federica Brignone claimed victory in the race on the Kandahar course, while teammate Sofia Goggia claimed second, and Switzerland’s Corinne Suter claimed third. Nova’s injury is the latest in a string of serious accidents that have shaken the alpine skiing world in recent weeks. Austrian Nina Ortlieb fractured her lower leg in a high-speed crash during today’s Downhill race in Garmisch.
As Nova remains under medical care, the alpine skiing community is left grappling with the sport’s inherent risks, particularly in the very dangerous high-speed events of Downhill and Super-G. Many skiers and experts are demanding change for the safety of the athletes. This season, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) introduced mandatory airbags for speed events. However, many athletes wound up filing exemption requests.
