The Austrian ski racer Max Franz falls in training and is out for the entire World Cup season. The 33-year-old was injured so badly during the take-off that he had to have surgery on both legs that same evening. Franz remains the unlucky one in the ÖSV team.
Max Franz has won three World Cups in his career. Another one will not be added for the Austrian ski star, at least this winter. The speed team’s unlucky fellow suffered a serious injury during a downhill session at Copper Mountain, USA, on Sunday evening ahead of the first start of the season and will probably not be able to compete again this winter.
The 33-year-old suffered an open lower leg fracture on his left leg, a very complicated lower leg fracture on his right leg and a laceration on his right arm during his violent departure. Franz underwent surgery on both legs that evening. After the two new and equally controversial mega descents on the Swiss Matterhorn were canceled at short notice due to a lack of snow, the speed specialists will start their season on November 25th in Lake Louise, Canada.
“Max started the swing too tightly in a double left turn, then got caught in the goal with his upper body and then fell,” said Marko Pfeifer, Sporting Director Alpine Skiing Men. “It’s extremely unfortunate because he has big plans for this season. It’s an enormous weakness for our speed team. I wish Max that he comes back as soon as possible.” Franz will miss another World Cup this winter, just like in 2019. He was able to win a medal in title fights, downhill bronze in 2017.
For the native of Klagenfurt, it is not the first serious fall and not the first serious injury. Six years ago he fell while training at the legendary Hahnenkamm race and injured his knee and wrist. The season was over after strong results in Lake Louise and at the classic in Wengen, among others. Three years later, Kitzbühel was the fate of Franz again. He fell in the race, broke his heel bone, and again the winter was over prematurely.
