A training accident has left German alpine skiing star Kira Weidle-Winkelmann requiring surgical treatment to her nose following a severe crash on the slopes.
The 29-year-old athlete was preparing for the forthcoming winter season when she collided with a gate marker whilst travelling at considerable velocity.
The impact sent the two-time Olympic competitor careering into protective fencing positioned alongside the training course.
Medical attention was immediately required, with Weidle-Winkelmann subsequently transported to hospital for treatment.
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann suffered a nasty crash in training
|The incident necessitated surgical intervention to address injuries sustained to her nose during the high-speed collision.
Despite the severity of the crash, which occurred during routine pre-season preparation, the German skier's condition appears stable following her hospitalisation and subsequent procedure.
Following her hospitalisation, Weidle-Winkelmann documented her recovery through social media posts that revealed the extent of her facial injuries.
Images shared from her hospital bed displayed bandages and medical dressings covering her face and nose area.
The athlete later posted additional photographs featuring a protective covering positioned over her nose following the surgical procedure.
Despite the circumstances, Weidle-Winkelmann maintained a light-hearted approach to her situation, using the hashtag "nosejob" to accompany her hospital updates.
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann showed her injuries to followers on Instagram
|Video footage of the training incident, which the skier posted to Instagram, captured the moment she attempted to navigate a gate marker at speed.
The recording showed her losing stability whilst leaning into a turn, resulting in direct contact with the gate pole before her momentum propelled her into the boundary barriers.
Fellow skier Lena Dürr, aged 34, responded to the incident with humour, commenting on Weidle-Winkelmann's post: "Foliage: Colorful. Nose: Sore. Winter: In sight. Autumn poem."
The injured athlete's competitive achievements include securing second place at the alpine skiing world championships in 2021.
Her recovery timeline suggests she should regain full fitness before the winter racing calendar commences.
The opening downhill competition of the new season is scheduled for 12 December in the Swiss resort of St. Moritz.
Kira Weidle-Winkelmann chose to take a light hearted approach to the setback
|Weidle-Winkelmann's ability to maintain good spirits throughout her ordeal, evidenced by her social media activity from hospital, indicates a positive outlook for her rehabilitation.
The German skier's extensive experience at Olympic level should serve her well during the recovery process ahead of the competitive season.