Maxence Muzaton recalls miracle save from crash at skiing world championships
The French skier was competing in the men’s downhill world championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy on Sunday, when a slip on a turn caused him to lose control.
Traveling at a speed of about 120 kilometers per hour (75 mph), Muzetan miraculously slid down the slope before landing in 180 degrees in the air and circling forward, before landing in reverse and spinning rounds .
“My skin was destined to climb, I didn’t control myself enough (in the air),” Muzetan quoted CNN’s Don Riedel.
“When I hit the ground in the switch position, I controlled the stop and speed, but in the air I controlled nothing. Getting on my skis, I think, luck, of course, exceeds skill.”
Unfortunately, for Muzetan, who was competing in his fifth World Championship competition, the initial impact on this turn injured his knee. Initially she feared she would need surgery, a scan, to her relief, a ligament sprain and a bone fracture were revealed.
“For most people who watch the video, they’re like, ‘Wow, what a miracle – what’s left!”
“But yes, it’s a miracle the way I landed on my skis. It’s not as bad as it could have been.”
Despite the injury, Muzetan admitted that the accident could have had more serious consequences as he was not able to safely pirouet back on his skis.
Yet as a contestant, he said that it hardly highlights the kind of race that he wants people to talk about.
“I have to recover really fast, get back on my skis,” he said. “I want some better results than this video. But this is part of the game.”
“I will try to be remembered after my career as a good athlete with good results, more than the man who accidentally made an incredible recovery.”
A week earlier, Muzetan made another incredible save while competing in a World Cup event in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany.
At that point, he slipped into a squat position and began to spin round the ground before being able to return to his skis.
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