Industry News
Less than a month after a devastating crash during World Cup downhill training in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Czech alpine skier Tereza Novรก has been transported back to the Czechia to continue her recovery. The 27-year-old suffered a severe traumatic brain injury on January 24, leading to an extended stay at the trauma clinic in Murnau, Germany, where she was placed in a medically induced coma. The Czech Ski Association shared the news on its website and social media channels.
Novรกโs accident occurred during training on the Kandahar course, one of the most challenging Downhill tracks on the World Cup circuit. She lost control at high speed and was immediately airlifted to Murnau, a facility specializing in severe trauma care. Doctors diagnosed her with a traumatic brain injury, internal bleeding, a carotid artery injury, and a fractured eye socket. Due to the seriousness of her condition, she underwent emergency surgery to reduce brain swelling before being placed in an induced coma.
Two weeks later, as the swelling and bleeding subsided, doctors at Murnau began gradually reducing Novรกโs sedation. โAfter the brain swelling subsided and the bleeding visibly reduced, the patient was stable enough for us to slowly wake her up again after consulting with our neurosurgery colleagues,โ said Markus Gruber, head physician of the intensive care unit at Murnau hospital. Now in a stable condition, she has been deemed fit for transport to her home country, where she will undergo further medical evaluations and rehabilitation.
Ondลej Berndt, Novรกโs life partner and coach of the Czech national team, expressed gratitude for the rapid response and medical care she received. โIt was very fortunate that everyone reacted so quickly and Terka was immediately brought to the clinic in Murnau after the fall. A big thank you goes to the doctors and the entire staff of the German clinic,โ he said. โWe still have a long way to go, but I am convinced that we will make it. Together with Terkaโs parents, we would like to thank everyone for the support we are receiving and ask for respect for the privacy and peace that Terka now needs to recover.โ
Novรก has been a prominent figure in Czech alpine skiing since making her World Cup debut in 2019. She represented the Czech Republic at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, achieving a career-best 14th place in the combined event. Known for her technical precision and fearlessness, she is regarded as a key athlete in the next generation of Czech ski racing.
Her injury comes amid growing discussions about safety in alpine skiing, particularly in high-speed disciplines such as Downhill and Super-G. The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has introduced mandatory airbags for speed events this season, but many athletes have requested exemptions. The severity of Novรกโs crash highlights the persistent dangers in the sport, adding to recent calls for further safety measures.
For now, the focus remains on Novรกโs recovery. While the road ahead is uncertain, her return home marks a crucial step in her rehabilitation journey.
