Aussie world champion Belle Brockhoff suffers broken back in snowboard World Cup

Australian snowboarder and three-time Winter Olympian, Belle Brockhoff, suffered a fractured back in an accident during the FIS World Cup competition held in Georgia. The incident occurred in the small final at the Gudauri station, where Brockhoff fell heavily during the race and was airlifted off the course.

Scans revealed that Brockhoff suffered a fracture to her L1 vertebra. The 32-year-old athlete has been transferred to Greece, where she underwent surgery. Geoff Lipshut, CEO of the Australian Institute of Sport, stated, "Currently, our medical team is working with medical and emergency personnel and hospitals in Greece to ensure Belle receives the best possible care."

Lipshut added, "We will re-evaluate the post-operative plan with Belle in the next 48 hours. Belle is in good spirits, and I am pleased that her partner was able to fly to Greece to support her during this time." The support from her partner will undoubtedly aid in her recovery and mental well-being.

Brockhoff has competed in three Olympic Games and won the mixed team snowboard World Cup title with Jarryd Hughes in 2021. Snowboarders are no strangers to injuries, with collisions frequently occurring in competitions. At the last Beijing Winter Olympics, Brockhoff herself was stretchered off the course after a collision in the quarter-finals.

Brockhoff's injury is the latest in a series of injury incidents for Australia this season, impacting the country's medal hopes. Mogul champion Jakara Anthony fractured her collarbone in Sweden last year, while snowboarders Valentino Guseli (knee) and Tess Coady (concussion) have also missed competitions due to injuries. These injuries highlight the risks involved in high-level winter sports.