Skiing: Swiss skier Marc Gisin avoids serious injury after horrifying crash

  • 17/12/2018

Swiss skier Marc Gisin has avoided serious injury, but remains in intensive care, after a high-speed crash during the men's World Cup downhill race at Val Gardena in Italy on Sunday (NZ time).

The 30-year-old was travelling at 120 km/h, when he lost control before a jump and flew in the air, landing awkwardly, as he continued to slide down the slope like a rag doll, before eventually coming to a halt.

Race organisers said he was knocked unconscious and airlifted to hospital, while the race was interrupted. He was later flown back to Switzerland.

A statement from the Swiss Ski Team confirmed that "scans on the skull showed no serious injury", but added Gisin had "fractured several ribs on his right side, his right lung was also injured, his pelvis was dented slightly".

"He communicates directly with the doctors and closest relatives, but is currently still intubated.

"Fortunately, the back remained undamaged, except for some non-serious fractures to the spine.

"For optimal monitoring and support, Marc Gisin will remain hospitalised for the time being in the intensive care unit at the Cantonal Hospital in Lucerne."

Gisin's sisters - Dominique and Michelle - are both Winter Olympics skiing gold-medal.

Dominique tweeted to thank fans for their "sympathy and support".

Norway's Aleksander Aamodt Kilde won the event in a time of 1m 56.13s.

Austria's Franz Max was 0.86 seconds back in second place, with Swiss skier Beat Feuz third.

Newshub.