Industry News
Back in May, French skier Cyprien Sarrazin returned to race training following a 2024 crash that nearly took his life. Now he will continue his recovery under a new deal with a familiar face.
The 31-year-old has been a dominating force on the World Cup circuit on Rossignol skis since 2018. And on Sunday, the French ski mega-company announced a new deal that fully outfits Sarrazin in Rossignol gear from head to toe, including his helmet and goggles. The new deal marks the first time Sarrazin has been fully sponsored by Rossignol, and as he continues his recovery, he will do so sporting one of the world’s biggest ski manufacturers.
“This season also marks the beginning of a new partnership, with Rossignol now supporting him from head to toe,” the company wrote in its announcement on Instagram. “New helmet. New goggles. Same pursuit of performance.”
Previously, Sarrazin looked to Uvex for his helmets, goggles, and other protective equipment. Under his new Rossignol deal, he brings all of his on-snow equipment under one company,
The announcement also marks another milestone in Sarrazin’s comeback following one of the scariest crashes in International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) alpine history. Back in December 2024, Sarrazin suffered a violent crash on the notoriously challenging Stelvio slope in Bormio, Italy. The accident occurred after he launched off a jump at an awkward angle, causing him to spin sideways before landing heavily and sliding into the safety nets. He was airlifted to a nearby hospital and was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, a serious condition where blood collects between the brain and its outermost membrane, typically caused by head trauma. He underwent emergency surgery, and despite the severity of the crash, an MRI revealed no additional injuries beyond minor damage to his foot and knee.
Sarrazin’s injury kept him off the snow for nearly a year. He made his first turns since the injury in late 2025. But despite his long recovery, Sarrazin is looking to make his return for the 2026-27 season with his eyes on the 2030 Olympics in his home country.
“The 2030 Olympics are not very far away,” the French skier said. As he returns to race training, Sarrazin said he is focused on trajectories and technical benchmarks—key elements for a speed skier whose discipline demands precision at the highest level.
- Related: French Ski Racer Cyprien Sarrazin Returns to Race Training 16 Months After Near-Fatal Crash
Prior to his injury, Sarrazin was skiing at one of the highest levels of his career. During the 2023–24 season, he was a dominant force in men’s downhill, winning four World Cup races, including both downhill events at the legendary Hahnenkamm downhill in Kitzbühel, Austria. He carried that momentum into 2024-25, finishing second in Beaver Creek and entering Bormio as a favorite.
Rossignol’s expanded sponsorship of Sarrazin displays its commitment to the Frenchman as he continues to work towards his return to the starting gates. While the announcement does not include the terms of the deal, given Sarrazin’s long history with the company, he will likely be a part of the Rossi team until he decides to step away from the sport.
As Sarrazin continues his road to recovery, he will do so with one of the biggest skiing companies. While he has not officially announced a return to the sport in 2026-27, each update brings him another step closer to returning to alpine skiing’s biggest stage.
