The Saslong claims its first prominent victim

The traditional speed races in Val Gardena are taking place this week. However, the first injury has already been reported on the infamous Saslong course.

16 December 2025

From: det

The season has begun! The first downhill training session took place in Val Gardena on Tuesday: in less than ideal weather conditions. Marco Odermatt set the best time, While Dominik Paris made headlines with a third-place finish, one ski star's training ended in the hospital.

Stefan Eichberger has suffered a serious injury. The 25-year-old Austrian, considered a great future prospect in the Austrian Ski Federation (ÖSV) team and already having achieved two top-7 results this year, tore his cruciate ligament and meniscus. This was announced on Tuesday evening.

Stefan Eichberger faces a long forced break. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / CHRISTIAN PETERSEN

Eichberger started the Gröden training run with bib number 20, but took a hit on the camel humps and subsequently abandoned his run. "I had to stop because it hurt quite a bit. I couldn't put any more weight on my knee," Eichberger told the [newspaper/publication name]. Krone.

Now the operation will follow.

Immediately after training, Eichberger was taken to an Innsbruck clinic for examinations, where the worst suspicions were confirmed: a torn cruciate ligament and meniscus. The season is over for the Austrian speed specialist! Eichberger will now be transferred to Graz, where he will undergo surgery.

Another training run is scheduled for Wednesday in Val Gardena, before the first race for victory takes place on Thursday in the sprint downhill (11:45 a.m.). This is followed by the Super-G on Friday (11:45 a.m.) and the long downhill on Saturday (11:45 a.m.).

Keywords Winter sports Alpine skiing Val Gardena Saslong Stefan Eichberger