Industry News
French alpine skier Cyprien Sarrazin has spoken publicly for the first time since his devastating crash in December, admitting he is uncertain about his future in competitive skiing. The French ski racer made his first public appearance this week at a press conference in Marseille on Monday, March 3.
“I almost died,” Sarrazin said during the press conference, reflecting on the violent crash he suffered during a World Cup training run in Bormio, Italy. The accident left him with a subdural hematoma and a severe concussion that required brain surgery. Despite the trauma, the 30-year-old skier expressed gratitude for his recovery. “I am a miracle! It is incredible that I recovered so well and so quickly,” he said, noting that he has no lasting neurological damage.
Sarrazin had crashed during Downhill training on December 27 in Bormio, Italy. The day before his crash, Sarrazin had dominated training, leading by more than half a second. During his fateful run, he came off the final jump at an awkward angle, flying sideways and nearly landing backward on the hard-packed slope. He spun out of control, hitting his head before sliding motionlessly into the safety nets below, seemingly unconscious. Bormio’s Stelvio slope, one of the most demanding on the World Cup circuit, has long been criticized for its extreme difficulty and racecourse conditions. On the same day as Sarrazin’s crash, Italian skier Pietro Zazzi was also injured and had to be airlifted from the course.
Although Sarrazin has made significant strides in his recovery, he continues to experience diplopia—double vision—though he says his eyesight is improving daily. “I don’t remember the 20 meters before the fall, nor the five days after surgery. And that’s for the best—it means I don’t have post-traumatic stress disorder,” he explained.
Having claimed back-to-back Downhill victories in Kitzbühel during the 2023-24 season, Sarrazin remains passionate about high-level competition but acknowledges that his return to racing is uncertain. “I will ski again, but whether I will compete, I don’t know yet.” Sarrazin had been in top form before his accident. His crash on December 27 marked an abrupt and painful end to his season at the peak of his career. After a four-year podium drought, the French ski racer had an incredible 2023-24 season, winning four-speed races and coming second in another two races.
Speaking in Marseille at a press conference ahead of the launch of the Regional Parliament for the 2030 Winter Games, Sarrazin displayed a remarkable outlook on his ordeal. “I feel no hatred, no disappointment. I know I came very close to not being here anymore, so whatever happens now is only positive.” As he focuses on his recovery, the skiing world waits to see if Sarrazin will once again take on the slopes that nearly claimed his career—and his life.
