Industry News
French team doctor Dr. Stéphane Bulle shared an update on the condition of French ski racer Cyprien Sarrazin in a teleconference call. Bulle confirmed that Sarrazin is embarking on a lengthy journey toward recovery after his devastating crash during a Downhill training session at Bormio, Italy, on December 27. The 30-year-old suffered a violent fall on Bormio’s Stelvio course, a notoriously treacherous race course, after launching off a jump at an angle and landing heavily into safety nets. Airlifted to Sondalo Hospital, Sarrazin was diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma, a life-threatening condition caused by head trauma. Emergency surgery was performed to relieve brain compression, saving his life but leaving a daunting path ahead for the athlete.
Now repatriated to France, Sarrazin remains under the care of specialists at a private clinic in Lyon, where his condition is being monitored closely. According to Dr. Bulle, Sarrazin is stable but faces significant challenges, including diplopia (double vision) and severe fatigue. While the ski racer is conscious and aware of his condition, his rehabilitation will span months, if not years, with no guarantees of a return to competitive skiing.
Dr. Bulle described the situation as more complex than a typical sports injury, such as a knee ligament tear, and drew parallels to the career-ending injury of Valentin Giraud-Moine, a former teammate and close friend of Sarrazin. Rehabilitation will focus first on basic tasks—such as sitting up, eating, and standing—before progressing to more advanced therapy. The medical team hopes Sarrazin will transfer to the Henry Gabrielle specialized hospital in Lyon’s suburbs to continue his recovery.
While Sarrazin’s determination remains intact, his future in skiing remains uncertain. Dr. Bulle emphasized that the focus is on restoring Sarrazin’s cognitive and physical abilities rather than rushing a return to the slopes. “We don’t know yet if he’ll compete again, but we’ll do everything to make it possible,” he said. The process will require patience, resilience, and significant medical support, marking a new chapter in Sarrazin’s career. Sarrazin had been having a fantastic season recently and had been leading the training runs at Bormio up until the devastating crash.
Sarrazin, who had already faced a concussion during a crash in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2018, is no stranger to adversity. However, this latest incident highlights the inherent risks of alpine skiing and the resilience demanded of its athletes. For now, the French ski community and Sarrazin’s supporters rally behind him as he begins the long and uncertain road to recovery.
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