Two-time defending overall World Cup champion Anna Fenninger will miss the entire alpine skiing season after tearing ligaments in her right knee during training on Wednesday, the Austrian Ski Federation (OSV) confirmed.
Fenninger suffered a heavy crash during a training run in Solden ahead of Saturday’s season-opening giant slalom and was “airlifted to hospital by helicopter to Innsbruck”, according to the OSV.
Tests subsequently revealed the 26-year-old had torn both her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) as well as her patellar tendon. She will undergo surgery later on Wednesday.
“Season over for Anna Fenninger,” announced the Austrian ski governing body, adding that the 26-year-old “will not participate in any races this season”.
World and Olympic slalom champion Mikaela Shiffrin was quick to wish the Austrian a quick recovery, posting on her Facebook page: “I’m so sorry to hear this bad news Anna! I hope you have a fast and strong recovery…We are going to miss you this season.
“Good luck @annafenninger and hope to see you back on skis soon,” added the American.
Fenninger had only returned to training last week after quitting a practice session at the end of September as a precautionary measure due to knee pain.
The three-time world champion and Olympic Super-G gold medallist won her second straight overall World Cup title last year after overhauling Slovenian rival Tina Maze, who announced she would miss the 2015/16 season to consider her future.
Lindsey Vonn could also miss Saturday’s curtain raiser in Austria as the American continues her recovery from a broken ankle suffered during training in New Zealand on August 13.