Katharina Liensberger 2026 Winter Olympics Dream Crushed by Severe Knee Injury

A podium dream shattered in a split second. Austria's Katharina Liensberger, the 2022 Olympic slalom silver medallist, is officially out of the upcoming 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics after a devastating training crash.

Katharina Liensberger 2026 Season Ends After Surgical Diagnosis

The Austrian Ski Association confirmed that Liensberger suffered a fracture of the tibial plateau, a torn meniscus, and a medial collateral ligament injury in her right knee. The 28-year-old specialist will undergo surgery this Friday, effectively ending her season just one month before the Olympic flame is lit in Italy.

Liensberger's absence is a massive blow to the Austrian team. Having secured both a team gold and individual silver in Beijing, she was expected to be a primary challenger to Mikaela Shiffrin. Shiffrin has been dominant lately, winning the last six World Cup slaloms, including five this season alone.

Safety Concerns Rise Amidst String of Elite Injuries

Liensberger isn't the only star sidelined. Swiss champions Michelle Gisin and Lara Gut-Behrami have also been ruled out of the Games due to training incidents. These injuries have reignited a fierce debate about the risks of alpine skiing following the tragic death of Italian skier Matteo Franzoso in September.

Earlier this season, Shiffrin questioned whether the sport has become "unreasonably dangerous," citing the uncontrollable variables in high-speed training. As the list of injured top-tier athletes grows, the international skiing community faces increasing pressure to re-evaluate athlete safety protocols.