Nearly two years after a crash that threatened far more than his career, Cyprien Sarrazin is preparing to return to the World Cup. Speaking to French radio station RMC on Wednesday, the Frenchman said he will travel to the United States in mid-November for the French team's training camp. He is careful not to set a date for his comeback. "I have it in mind to take part in the first races," Sarrazin said, without promising anything.
Emergency surgery after Bormio
On 27 December 2024, Sarrazin crashed heavily in downhill training in Bormio. He suffered bleeding on the brain and needed emergency surgery. The accident shocked the sport, because Sarrazin was then one of the leading downhillers in the world. The previous winter he had become Marco Odermatt's main rival in the speed events and finished second in the downhill standings. He has not raced on the World Cup since.
The Stelvio course where he crashed hosted the men's Olympic races in February, and Sarrazin missed the Games. He now sounds cautiously optimistic about racing again this winter.
His road back has been long and largely out of public view. Rather than chase a fixed comeback date, Sarrazin has taken his time. The fact that he is now talking publicly about races is a clear signal. For a long time it was uncertain whether the downhiller would return to high-speed racing at all. For now, the US training camp is firmly in his calendar.
Copper Mountain and Beaver Creek in view
Sarrazin named the first speed stops of the season. A super-G is scheduled at Copper Mountain on 28 November, followed by Beaver Creek from 3 to 6 December. Both are in the United States, which fits with the French team's training camp. He still would not confirm that he will race at either venue. "There is no certainty about the start of the season, or about the future," he was quoted as saying.
Alpine SkiingFIS turmoil deepens as Trinkl turns down Waldner's race director jobHe described himself as being "in discovery mode" and said he is taking things step by step, "not quite day by day, but almost". He wants to leave the decision about his first race as late as possible and said he will not rush.
A lift for France's speed squad
A comeback would be an emotional moment for the French team. Sarrazin said that "above all love" was what he felt on rejoining the squad. It would also be a major boost on the hill, because at his best he won on the toughest downhill courses on the circuit. The 2027 World Championships in Crans-Montana take place in February. Whether Sarrazin can contend there depends on how his body handles high-speed training runs.
The World Cup opens in Sölden at the end of October, where the speed specialists are usually not the focus. The first real test for Sarrazin will be the US camp in mid-November. After that come the super-G at Copper Mountain on 28 November and the races at Beaver Creek.
