A teenage snowboarding star from Bulgaria has suffered multiple fractures after being struck from behind by an intoxicated skier while preparing for a World Cup race in the Czech mountains. Malena Zamfirova was training ahead of the FIS Snowboard Alpine World Cup event in Špindlerův Mlýn, Czechia, when the accident occurred on Tuesday, March 3. According to Plamen Valkov, media manager of the Bulgarian Ski Federation (BFSKI), a tourist skiing collided with the young athlete in a supposedly “safe” run-out area of a black run near the base of the lift station.
The impact left the 16-year-old Olympian with several serious injuries, including multiple fractures, a broken femur and a concussion. Emergency services airlifted her to a hospital in Hradec Králové, where doctors carried out urgent surgery to stabilize her condition. She has since been airlifted to a hospital in Austria for further treatment.
BFSKI said the crash took place in a flat zone beneath a black slope that is typically considered safe for athletes and visitors. Witnesses reported that many children and tourists were nearby at the time of the collision. The skier was found to be severely intoxicated and also suffered injuries to his back, ribs, and abdomen.
Due to the severity of her injuries, Zamfirova’s 2025-26 season has come to an abrupt end.
Zamfirova is widely regarded as one of Bulgaria’s brightest winter sports prospects. Despite her young age, she has already made a significant impression on the World Cup circuit with three podium finishes, including a third-place result at a recent event in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland. She made her World Cup debut last season and is currently ranked 10th overall in the World Cup parallel events standings. At the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, she finished in 10th place.
In a public statement on social media, the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) wished the athlete a speedy recovery, expressing confidence that she will return to competition in the future. “Malena, we wish you a speedy recovery. We know you’ll come back stronger than ever.”
Unlike in other European countries, Czechia has no legal alcohol limit for guests in ski resorts. A recent study by insurance company ERV Evropská pojišťovna found that 25% of female guests and 39% of male guests to Czech ski resorts were drinking alcohol while on the slopes. Alcohol consumption can significantly impair judgement, balance and reaction time—all crucial for maintaining control while skiing or snowboarding.
