Katharina Liensberger’s preparations for the season suffered a major setback after the Austrian ski star was injured during giant slalom training in St. Michael. The 26-year-old crashed heavily on the course, immediately raising concern among coaches and teammates as she was unable to continue the session.
Subsequent medical examinations revealed the full extent of the damage to her right knee. Doctors confirmed a fracture of the tibial plateau, accompanied by a meniscus tear and an injury to the medial collateral ligament (MCL). The combination of injuries is serious and will require surgical intervention, with Liensberger scheduled to undergo an operation today.
The Austrian Ski Federation confirmed the diagnosis in an official update, noting that further details regarding her recovery timeline will only be available after surgery. While the immediate focus is on a successful operation, the injury is expected to sideline Liensberger for an extended period, casting uncertainty over her competition schedule in the coming months.
Liensberger has been one of Austria’s most consistent performers in technical disciplines in recent years, particularly in giant slalom and slalom. A former world champion and Olympic medalist, she has been a key figure for Austria on the World Cup circuit, known for her precision, resilience, and competitive spirit. This injury therefore represents not only a personal blow, but also a significant loss for the Austrian women’s team.
Messages of support have already begun to pour in from fellow athletes, fans, and members of the skiing community, all wishing her strength and a smooth recovery. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Liensberger has shown remarkable determination throughout her career, and there is widespread belief that she will approach rehabilitation with the same focus and discipline that have defined her success on snow.
For now, the skiing world waits, hopeful that surgery goes well and that Liensberger can begin the long road back to full fitness.
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