Double Olympic snowboarding champion Anna Gasser is recovering from shoulder surgery following a freak accident at a Munich wave pool.
Gasser, who claimed gold medals at both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Games while representing Austria, suffered the injury whilst recreational surfing last week.
The accident occurred when Gasser fell from her board in the artificial wave facility, resulting in a shoulder dislocation. Medical examinations revealed additional damage including a labrum tear and biceps tendon injury.
The two-time Olympic champion underwent immediate surgery to address the injuries. Gasser confirmed the procedure "restored the necessary stability in the shoulder" and was deemed successful by medical staff.
Double Olympic snowboarding champion Anna Gasser is recovering from shoulder surgery following a freak accident at a Munich wave pool
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She was rushed to hospital after the incident, which saw her arm torn from its socket.
Gasser described the moment as showing "how everything can change in a second" following what she termed a "freak accident surfing".
The severity of the injury required immediate surgical intervention. "The examinations showed that the shoulder was briefly dislocated. The labrum and biceps tendon were affected," Gasser explained.
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Medical staff performed surgery to repair the damaged structures and restore shoulder stability. The procedure addressed both the labrum tear and biceps tendon injury sustained during the fall.
The timing of the accident has significant implications for the champion's Olympic preparations.
The injury has forced Gasser to abandon her summer training plans in Australia. She now faces an extended rehabilitation period before returning to full training.
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Despite the setback, the Austrian remains optimistic about her recovery.
"Sad that my summer plans changed and that I'm forced to watch from the sidelines for now," she told fans. "But I'll try to make the best out of it and come back strong."
Gasser acknowledged the challenging road ahead, stating: "Even though it isn't easy for me, I will have to be patient for now."
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The recovery process will require extensive shoulder and arm strengthening before she can resume snowboarding activities.
The Olympic champion has outlined her strategy for defending her title at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
"After that, I will concentrate on training and compete in selected World Cup competitions so that I can travel to the Olympic games in Italy optimally prepared," Gasser stated.
Anna Gasser has two gold medals to her name
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The Austrian plans to participate strategically in World Cup events as part of her comeback programme. This selective approach will allow her to build competitive readiness whilst managing her recovery.
Gasser intends to retire after the Italian Games, making this rehabilitation period crucial for her final Olympic campaign.
The shoulder surgery and subsequent recovery represent a significant challenge in her quest for an unprecedented third consecutive snowboarding gold medal.