Austrian skier Matthias Lanzinger to have his left lower leg amputated

Austrian alpine skier Matthias Lanzinger is taken from the course after crashing during the World Cup Super G in Kvitfjell, Norway, on Sunday. PHOTO: AP

Austrian Matthias Lanzinger will have his left lower leg amputated as a result of complications after breaking his shinbone and fibula in a crash in Sunday's World Cup Super G in Norway.

The double fracture severely damaged blood vessels which hampered blood circulation in the leg of the 27-year-old.

The Austrian ski federation said yesterday that surgery on Monday night at a hospital in Oslo was only partly successful and left doctors no other option than an amputation to avoid further health risks.

"The blood circulation in the foot was re-established but due to the long time of ischemia, the circulation could not be stabilized," said doctor Thomas Hoelzenbein, who was flown in from Austria on Monday to lead the operation. "As a result of the irreparable tissue damage, an amputation is inevitable to avoid permanent grave consequences."

The amputation was scheduled to take place later yesterday.

Lanzinger, who started 30th, crashed near the finish after hitting a gate in Kvitfjell, Norway. The race, won by his teammate Georg Streitberger, was interrupted for more than 30 minutes.

Lanzinger's best World Cup result was third at a Super G in Beaver Creek, Colorado, in December 2005.