BEND, Georgia — Three-time Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff is recovering in Greece after suffering a broken back during a Snowboard Cross World Cup race on Saturday.
The 32-year-old Australian snowboarder had placed third in the qualifiers and was competing in her final race of the day in Gudauri, Georgia, when the crash occurred.
Brockhoff’s snowboard slid out from under her halfway through the course, sending her into a high-speed tumble before she crashed heavily onto her tailbone after landing a jump. Race officials immediately attended to her on the side of the slope, and she appeared to be in considerable pain.
An official statement from the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) confirmed that imaging showed Brockhoff had fractured her L1 vertebrae. Fortunately, there was no neurological damage.
After being assessed at a local hospital in Georgia, Brockhoff was transferred to Greece for surgery. She is expected to remain in Greece for about two weeks before returning to Australia.
“I really appreciate all the messages of support, thank you to all. I am staying positive. I am in good hands,” Brockhoff shared via Instagram. She also mentioned that the surgery is expected to take place on Wednesday or Thursday.
Brockhoff’s partner flew to Greece to be with her during this time, according to the AOC.
Geoff Lipshut, CEO of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia, expressed that the medical team is coordinating closely with the hospital and emergency services in Greece to ensure Brockhoff receives the best possible care. “Belle is in good spirits, and I am very pleased that her partner has been able to fly to Greece to support her during this time,” Lipshut said.
Brockhoff, who made history as Australia’s first woman to win a snowboard cross World Cup title during the 2015-16 season, had just returned to competition after recovering from a wrist fracture late last year. This injury follows a previous ACL tear from a crash at the 2017 World Championships. She had competed in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics without an ACL.
