ConclusionĪlthough many preventive measures have been implemented in elite alpine ski racing, the risk of SIE comp has increased over the last two decades. Between the seasons of 19, the seasonal SIE comp incidence increased by a factor of 2.67 for elite alpine ski racers and 3.53 for World Cup racers. A significant sex difference was detected for the subgroup of junior racers with a higher risk for female athletes.

The SIE comp incidence per 1000 runs was 1.48 for elite alpine ski racers and 2.21 (95% CI 1.79–2.75) for the subgroup of World Cup racers. Generalised Estimating Equation for Poisson Regressions were applied.

Within a total of 114,531 runs 169 SIE comp occurred. In 23 seasons, 2333 skier seasons were recorded for the Austrian Ski Team.

Information on athletes’ competition exposure was obtained from the official website of the International Ski Federation. Methodsĭata recorded in the Austrian Ski Federation’s Injury Surveillance System were used to analyse the SIE comp incidence. This study aimed to describe and analyse the risk of in-competition severe injury events (SIE comp) in elite alpine ski racing. However, studies analysing the change in athletes’ injury risk by controlling for their exposure are still scarce.

To increase safety in elite alpine ski racing Injury Surveillance Systems were implemented and preventive measures introduced.

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