"Felt completely crazy – my entire lower body was twisted"

It is the worst injury he has experienced. After the crash in Kläppen, Henrik Harlaut's season is basically ruined. It felt totally sick, actually, my entire lower body was twisted, says the 33-year-old freeskiing star.

» Published: October 30 2024

"Felt completely crazy – my entire lower body was twisted"
Photo: Henrik Montgomery/TT

Share this article

Sweden's first Olympic Games medalist in the sport (big air, 2022) has experienced one or two crashes on the ski slope. But none like the one during a training session in Kläppen in August.

In the large plastic jump on the ski resort, Henrik Harlaut, as usual, was supposed to land in the soft airbag, but flew too short.

I landed on the airbag, but not in the "landing". It's like a plateau and then the actual landing, and then there's a kind of edge in between. And I landed with half my body on the edge and half not. It was like my upper body sank more than my lower body, says Harlaut.

Has thrown away the crutches

So what happened?

The hip joint jumped out.

How did it feel?

Completely crazy, actually. My entire lower body was twisted. And all the muscles and everything just cramped. But it took like five-ten minutes before the pain came.

But it's probably the worst I've experienced in my career. At least when it comes to how long it takes to heal.

The first six weeks after the crash, the multiple X-games champion had to take it easy to let his hip stabilize. A couple of weeks ago, he could ditch the crutches and now he can strength train again, but with caution.

Nothing with weight downwards towards the hip. I have to sit down and train, but I still can't put maximum weight on my hip.

The season ruined

In late November, he will undergo an MRI to see how the healing is going. But that the entire season is being ruined is already clear. The last World Cup competition is held in French Tignes on 11-14 March.

I hope my body has reacted well. Then I should be able to start skiing, just cruising and skiing normally, around New Year's maybe. But then it will probably take until February-March before I'm fully restored.

Harlaut took a break from the national team and the World Cup after the Olympic bronze in 2022. Ahead of this season, he is back, with the Olympic Games in Milano/Cortina 2026 as one of the major goals. That the Games are over a year away is a small consolation, he says.

Completely clear. I have the whole way until next year to really make sure I'm in top form. That's what makes me a little more calm and makes sure it really heals in the right way, instead of rushing it and maybe getting a setback.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Ben Shelton Exits US Open in Tears Due to Injury
1 MIN READ

Ben Shelton Exits US Open in Tears Due to Injury

Sagström Shines in Boston, Secures Second Place After Two Rounds
1 MIN READ

Sagström Shines in Boston, Secures Second Place After Two Rounds

Brynäs Falls to Kometa Brno in CHL Opener Without Bäckström
1 MIN READ

Brynäs Falls to Kometa Brno in CHL Opener Without Bäckström

Filip Helander Joins BK Häcken on Loan for Swedish Football Return
1 MIN READ

Filip Helander Joins BK Häcken on Loan for Swedish Football Return

Alcaraz Reaches US Open Fourth Round Despite Injury Concerns
1 MIN READ

Alcaraz Reaches US Open Fourth Round Despite Injury Concerns

Tottenham Hotspur Signs Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig
1 MIN READ

Tottenham Hotspur Signs Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig

Swedish Goalkeeper Emma Holmgren Announces Pregnancy
1 MIN READ

Swedish Goalkeeper Emma Holmgren Announces Pregnancy

Sweden Suffers 5-2 Loss to Finland in Euro Hockey Tour
1 MIN READ

Sweden Suffers 5-2 Loss to Finland in Euro Hockey Tour

Sweden Wins Gold and Silver in European Orienteering Championship
1 MIN READ

Sweden Wins Gold and Silver in European Orienteering Championship

Sweden Prepares for Crucial European Championship Match Against UK
3 MIN READ

Sweden Prepares for Crucial European Championship Match Against UK

Sweden Faces Crucial EuroBasket Match Against UK After Germany Loss
2 MIN READ

Sweden Faces Crucial EuroBasket Match Against UK After Germany Loss

Hammarby Signs Young Boys Defender Noah Persson
1 MIN READ

Hammarby Signs Young Boys Defender Noah Persson

Malmö FF to Face Nottingham Forest in Europa League Group Stage
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF to Face Nottingham Forest in Europa League Group Stage

Chris Froome Recovering After Successful Surgery Following Crash
1 MIN READ

Chris Froome Recovering After Successful Surgery Following Crash

Tilda Månsson Pursues Triathlon Excellence Over Prize Money
4 MIN READ

Tilda Månsson Pursues Triathlon Excellence Over Prize Money

Sweden and Denmark Compete to Host Women's Euro 2029
1 MIN READ

Sweden and Denmark Compete to Host Women's Euro 2029

Swedish Stars Larsson and Birgander Out Sick for Euro Championship Match
1 MIN READ

Swedish Stars Larsson and Birgander Out Sick for Euro Championship Match

Swedish Champion Samuel Russom Banned for Doping Violation
2 MIN READ

Swedish Champion Samuel Russom Banned for Doping Violation

Mourinho Fired After Fenerbahce's Champions League Exit
1 MIN READ

Mourinho Fired After Fenerbahce's Champions League Exit

Jakob Ingebrigtsen to Compete in World Championship Despite Injury
1 MIN READ

Jakob Ingebrigtsen to Compete in World Championship Despite Injury