Bassino Surgery Makes Olympic Return Unlikely

Italian skier Marta Bassino, 29, suffered a lateral tibial plateau fracture of her left leg in a training fall in Val Senales ahead of the World Cup season, putting her participation in next February's Milano‑Cortina Winter Olympics (Feb. 6–22, 2026) in doubt. The FISI medical commission and Merano hospital confirmed the diagnosis after X‑rays and CT scans, and Bassino underwent surgery in Milan. Her surgeon said she will probably be unable to ski for four to six months, making a return in time for the Games unlikely. Bassino is a giant‑slalom specialist with six World Cup wins and is the 2023 super‑G world champion, so the injury is a significant blow to her season and Italy's home‑Olympics hopes. The setback compounds Italy's problems after reigning World Cup overall champion Federica Brignone suffered a serious left‑leg injury in April.