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Shock crash on the Olympic ski jump: Eva Pinkelnig seriously injured!
Eva Pinkelnig, Austrian ski jumper, falls heavily at the Summer GP in Predazzo. Knee injury feared.
Shock crash on the Olympic ski jump: Eva Pinkelnig seriously injured!
Eva Pinkelnig, the 37-year-old Austrian ski jumper, suffered a serious fall during a competition on the new Olympic ski jump in Predazzo, Val di Fiemme. The incident occurred on September 18, 2025 during the Summer Grand Prix when Pinkelnig fell after landing on the jump in the second round and remained lying in the run-out. Immediately after she fell, she grabbed her left knee, indicating a possible injury. “Screams of pain” could be heard on ORF TV during the incident, underlining the drama of the situation, as [vol.at](https://www.vol.at/eva-pinkelnig-schwer-gestuerzt-olympia-saison-in- danger/9680966) reported.
After initial treatment on site, Pinkelnig was taken to a clinic as quickly as possible, where further examinations awaited her. Coach Thomas Diethart said that the athlete was in shock and it was therefore difficult to assess her exact condition. Pinkelnig himself apologized to Diethart for the incident, but he dismissed it as unnecessary. The exact medical diagnosis is still pending, but there are great concerns about a serious knee injury.
Previous experience and significance of the competition
The fall happened just a few months before the Olympic Games, which Pinkelnig considers to be the highlight of her career. This increases the pressure on the athlete should her injury prove serious. Pinkelnig has suffered several serious injuries in the past and has always fought back, which makes another setback particularly painful.
The new ski jump in Predazzo, which was built specifically for the Winter Olympics in February 2026, served as the official test for the athletes. The competition ended with an unexpected victory for Canada's Abigail Strate, followed by Nika Prevc from Slovenia and Yuka Seto from Japan. Lisa Eder achieved the best placement for the Austrian team with twelfth place, while Julia Mühlbacher took 22nd place [t-online.de].
Safety aspects in ski jumping
Ski jumping is often viewed as dangerous, especially for women. A recent study from Norway indicates that female ski jumpers are more prone to injury compared to other winter sports. The research, conducted under the leadership of Lars Engebretsen, showed that out of 67 athletes surveyed, 10 received an injury diagnosis, an injury rate of 25.4 per 100 athletes per season, as shown on skisprung.com was compiled.
The results of this study are particularly relevant in the context of Pinkelnig's fall. Although ski jumping has the fewest overall injuries compared to other disciplines, it remains a sport with significant risks for athletes, especially during complex maneuvers such as the telemark landing. Whether Pinkelnig can take part in the Olympic Games will depend on her medical findings in the coming days.