After recovering from a serious crash, Mikaela Shiffrin returned to skiing with heightened awareness of the risks involved in training courses. The American athlete, who suffered abdominal injuries in a World Cup race, emphasized the need to assess the level of danger in training environments. Shiffrin acknowledged the multitude of uncontrollable variables in training sessions and the importance of balancing necessary practice with reasonable safety measures.
Echoing Shiffrin’s sentiments, French skier Alexis Pinturault highlighted the unsafe conditions often present during training. The tragic death of World Cup racer Matteo Franzoso during preseason training in Chile underscored the ongoing safety concerns in Alpine skiing, particularly with the Milan-Cortina Olympics approaching.
Shiffrin, a decorated champion, spoke about dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder after her crash and the essential need to evaluate and mitigate life-threatening risks in the sport. She emphasized the inadequacies in safety standards on training courses compared to race courses, pointing out the lack of sufficient safety measures and medical resources.
Italy’s Sofia Goggia emphasized the inherent risks in ski racing, likening it to extreme motorsports due to the high speeds involved. While races have more safety nets, Goggia stressed that additional nets alone wouldn’t address the safety issues prevalent in training courses. The responsibility for ensuring safe training environments was discussed, with calls for improved organization and investment in safety measures.
In response to the tragedies, the Italian Winter Sports Federation urged the International Ski Federation (FIS) to establish dedicated training courses with enhanced safety features. FIS President Johan Eliasch expressed commitment to preventing accidents and improving safety standards in collaboration with national federations and organizers.
While efforts are being made to enhance safety, challenges remain in funding and coordinating safety upgrades for training courses. The debate centers on allocating resources and responsibilities among federations to ensure the safety of athletes during training sessions. Discussions continue on how to effectively implement and finance safety improvements in Alpine skiing.