<
>

Ski jumper Eva Pinkelnig crashes, has surgery on ruptured spleen

VIENNA -- Austrian ski jumper Eva Pinkelnig has undergone emergency surgery for a ruptured spleen following a training crash, the Austrian ski federation said Thursday.

Pinkelnig fell after landing a jump during a practice session on the small hill in Seefeld on Wednesday and had surgery in a university clinic in Innsbruck in the evening.

The federation said Pinkelnig was conscious and stable after the crash.

Harald Rodlauer, the head coach of the Austrian women's ski jump team, refrained from giving a prognosis on her recovery.

"It isn't clear yet when she can return to competition. More important now is that she fully recovers and then we will see," Rodlauer said.

Pinkelnig has previously recovered from serious injury after a crash, suffering traumatic brain damage in a training accident in Oberstdorf four years ago.

The 32-year-old Pinkelnig won two silver medals with the Austrian team at the 2019 Nordic world championships in Seefeld. She also triumphed in three World Cups in eight days in January before finishing the 2019-20 overall standings in third place.