Veteran Olympic Ski Jumper Takes Terrifying Fall

What's This?

By Chelsea Stark2014-01-11 02:00:15 UTC

Austrian ski jumper Thomas Morgenstern — a two-time Olympic champion — took a dangerous fall during a training jump in Tauplitz, Austria on Friday that left him hospitalized with unknown injuries.

The fall, captured on YouTube, happened after Morgenstern lost his balance in the air during a jump. He twisted to the left and landed on his side, speeding down the rest of the slope on his back.

See also: How to Watch and Follow the Sochi Winter Olympics Online

According to the New York Post , 27-year-old Morgenstern was repsonsive after the jump and able to talk to his team physician. He is currently hospitalized in Salzburg.

Morgenstern was training to compete in the World Cup, a ski jump event held annually since 1979. His team was also scheduled to compete in the Olympics.

Morgenstern won ski jump gold medals for the individual and team events in the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics. He also took the overall World Cup title in 2008 and 2011.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.

Image: Stanko Gruden/Agence Zoom/Getty Images

Topics: Entertainment, skiing, Sports, winter olympics 2014