The 27-year-old broke his right inner ankle during training for the Beijing Big Air competition in Shougang on Sunday and will be returning home. In his second games after those in Pyeongchang in 2018, the Upper Austrian finished 27th in slopestyle in Zhangjiakou a week ago after missing qualification. The Big Air Elimination takes place on Monday.
The accident happened after landing the 13th training jump – a Switch Back 16. “I’m actually not that bad at the jump, I’ve already done it in training and wanted to consolidate it,” said Millauer. “The landing was fine, I also skied a few meters. But then it rolled over me and when I tumbled down, my board was stupidly stuck in the snow on the flat.”
The athlete was examined and given first aid at the Big Air competition site by ÖOC team doctor Joachim Westermeier. “I noticed right away that something wasn’t quite as it should be. And then it was over with walking,” said the unlucky raven. After returning to the Olympic Village in Beijing, he had an X-ray, which confirmed the first suspicion: a fracture of the right inner ankle.
The foot was immobilized with a plaster splint, Millauer will fly home on the next flight and then operate immediately in Austria. “It’s frustrating because I was incredibly ready for qualifying, but that’s life.” From the ÖOC’s point of view, only his partner Anna Gasser will qualify on Monday (2.30 a.m. CET), the final is planned for Tuesday (2.30 a.m.). The Carinthian won this competition four years ago in South Korea.
This is the second serious injury within the ÖOC team after doubles luger Yannick Müller suffered an open arm fracture during training.
Source: Nachrichten
