Violent crash! Slalom star Holdener suffers a broken ankle: “Wendy flew straight into the net”

class=”sc-cffd1e67-0 fmXrkB”>

And now it has happened. After the Swiss women’s team got through the summer, autumn and winter without serious injuries so far, Swiss-Ski reported the bad news on Tuesday at 11:16 am: Wendy Holdener (30) was injured.

“When she fell into the net, she broke her left ankle,” it reads. Holdener will undergo surgery on Tuesday at the Hirslanden Clinic – after which she will have to immobilize her foot for two months.

Is the season of the best Swiss slalom skier of recent years over? “We will decide at the end of February or early March whether she will intervene in the race again,” says team doctor Walter O. Frey.

A big hole in the women’s team

Holdener’s failure is a serious setback for Swiss-Ski. Besides, it’s a shock. «Wendy is our great support and support in slalom, an absolute winner. This injury leaves a huge hole in the team,” said women’s head coach Beat Tschuor. He was not there, but was in close contact with Holdener’s coach Christian Brill.

The statistics back up his statements: in the past ten years, Holder has achieved 36 of the 42 Swiss slalom podium places. Last winter, the woman from Schwyz won her first two World Cup slaloms and also took home two silver medals at the World Championships in Méribel (Fr).

“Sad, but very controlled”

“I spoke to Wendy on the phone,” Tschoor said. “She was sad, but seemed very calm and had already talked about coming back as soon as possible. “You’re already looking ahead.”

But the fact remains: Holdener has never suffered such a serious injury. In 2019 she suffered a fracture to her elbow, in 2020 to the head of her fibula and in 2021 she broke both hands. It has never been quiet for long.

“We will miss you,” teammate Camille Rast (24) writes on Instagram. The pressure on her shoulders, but also on those of Michelle Gisin (30) and Mélanie Meillard (25), is now increasing. Now you need to remove the coals from the fire. “There’s a lot of demand for it now, but I definitely believe they can do it,” Tschuor said.

The impact destroys Holdener’s skis

But how did the accident actually happen? Judgement. On Monday Holdener will train in Pozza di Fassa (It) for slalom. The weather is cloudy, the slopes are good and have good grip. Holder feels good. Then, at the exit of a three-way vertical, it happens: she loses her balance and her skis cross.

“He got stuck during the transfer and flew straight into the B network,” reports Tschuor. The impact is so violent that both skis are compressed, i.e. bent – they are broken. The trainers are there immediately and take care of you.

The hope of a return remains

Holdener is not allowed to put any weight on her left ankle for at least eight weeks. What follows next is unclear. Tschuor: “Wendy normally recovers very quickly. She works extremely hard, is focused and meticulous. It is very realistic that she will return at the end of winter, we will certainly not lose hope.”

Source : Blick