A severe accident occurred today during the second and final trial of the Men's World Cup downhill in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria, where Finnish skier Elian Lehto fell while negotiating a right turn and crashed into the safety nets. At just 25 years old, Lehto suffered a punctured lung and head trauma from the fall, necessitating his transfer to intensive care. Fortunately, reports indicate a slight improvement in his condition by the afternoon.

Lehto's accident has impacted the Swiss skiing community, as he has been training in collaboration with the Swiss speed team for about four years, often sharing accommodations with fellow skier Alexis Monney. Since his World Cup debut in December 2018 at the giant slalom in Saalbach, Lehto has made notable strides in his career, achieving several top-10 placements in the World Cup events throughout 2025.

Dr. Risto Kemppainen, the medical doctor for the Finnish national team, commented on the situation during an interview with broadcaster YLE. The incident sheds light on the inherent dangers of competitive skiing, particularly the downhill events, raising concerns about athlete safety during high-risk trials.