Austrian fights back after fifth operation: top skier Franz can celebrate Christmas at home

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For over a year, Max Franz (34) has been fighting every day to be able to ski again. In November 2022, the downhill skier broke both legs during training. However, the road back couldn’t have been rockier.

On Tuesday, the Austrian had to undergo his fifth operation (!), and Christmas in his own country was seriously jeopardized. But there is good news: the third place at the 2017 World Cup was released from hospital on Friday and can spend the holidays at home with his wife Marina.

“Now my better half has had at least a few days of rest from me for the holidays,” Franz jokes to the Kronen Zeitung. His wife has had to go through a lot in recent months. “I am incredibly grateful to her.”

“Tough twelve months with setbacks”

His serious fall in Copper Mountain (USA) was the beginning of a real odyssey. His left leg in particular caused him problems because the bone did not heal properly: “That is the problem. The nerve in my left foot burns every day, I still need painkillers to tolerate it.” The highest feeling now is 500 meters, on which he can walk without crutches.

The three-time World Cup winner actually wanted to get back on ski touring at the beginning of this winter. A project he clearly missed. “It was a difficult year, a tough twelve months with setbacks, unfortunately the healing did not go as planned.”

Yet he does not give up and continues to work on his return: “I want to become 100 percent fit and ride down the mountain competitively again.” First of all, he just wants a ‘normal daily life’ again. (ch)

Source : Blick