Olympic ski champion Mayer's season over
Olympic downhill champion Matthias Mayer's season is over after the Austrian injured his back in a crash on Saturday, the Austrian Ski Federation (OSV) said.
Mayer underwent surgery in Innsbruck on Saturday after fracturing a vertebrae in a crash during the World Cup event in Val Gardena, Italy.
He had to be airlifted to hospital by helicopter after falling heavily on his back.
"For Mayer, the season is over earlier than expected," said the OSV, who initially had said they expected him to be out for just four weeks.
But the injury turned out to be worse than expected with damage to three vertebrae.
Mayer will stay in hospital for 10 days before continuing his rehabilitation at home, added the OSV.