Neureuther misses Sochi flight after car accident on way to airport

Felix Neureuther (GEPA/Hans Osterauer)

The German Ski Federation confirmed that technical ace Felix Neureuther, a serious medal contender in both the Olympic slalom and giant slalom races, was involved in a car accident on his way to the Munich airport to fly to the Games Friday (Feb. 14). He is currently being examined in Munich for suspected whiplash, and doctors will decide if and when he is able to fly to Russia.

Neureuther, the slalom silver medalist from last year’s world championships, lost control of his car on an icy road and crashed into a barrier, but he was able to continue driving after the accident. Neureuther’s girlfriend, biathlete Miriam Gossner, was also in the car and was the first to report the accident. Still, Neureuther did not board his flight to Sochi.

The men’s giant slalom race is set for Wednesday (Feb. 19) and the slalom next Saturday (Feb. 22), so Neureuther does have some time before his proposed Olympic starts. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his mother, Rosi Mittermaier, the triple Olympic medalist from the 1976 Innsbruck Games.

It has been an injury-plagued season for Neureuther who underwent ankle surgery over the summer and has suffered back problems and a dislocated thumb this winter, but he has also collected five podium results and three victories on the World Cup circuit leading into the Olympics.