Injury Nightmare Confirmed: Norwegian 21-Year-Old Ski Jumper Out for Season with Severe Knee Injury

Norwegian ski jumper Thea Minyan Bjørseth suffered a serious fall in the final round of a World Cup event in Ljubno. After an impressive performance that saw her set a hill record with a 97‐meter flight and a subsequent 94.5-meter landing, her ski caught during the landing and she fell, unable to get up on her own. After receiving medical attention for several minutes at the scene, she was eventually carried off the hill.

Upon her return to Norway on Monday and undergoing further medical examinations in Oslo on Tuesday, the results revealed extensive injury. Bjørseth has sustained damage to both cruciate ligaments along with injury to a side ligament in her left knee, as well as damage to elbow ligaments. Surgery is planned for next week, to be followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period of over a year with a strong focus on mobility, strength, and stability training.

In light of the injury, the Norwegian Ski Federation has ruled her out of the upcoming World Championships in Granåsen, effectively ending her season. The incident also affected her team, with teammates Anna Odine Strøm and Heidi Dyhre Traaserud choosing not to compete in the subsequent event as a result of the fall.

Bjørseth expressed her shock and uncertainty over the situation, acknowledging the difficult challenge ahead while thanking her support team for their encouragement during this tough time.