At ski flying qualification

Bitter diagnosis! Finn seriously injured after a fall

Eetu Nousiainen crashed heavily on Thursday and suffered a serious knee injury.(Bild: APA/AFP/Jure Makovec, instagram.com/eetunousiainenofficial)

Finnish ski jumper Eetu Nousiainen had a serious fall on Thursday during ski flying in Planica. He has now announced on Instagram that he has seriously injured his knee. More information will only be available after further examinations in Finland.

"The season could have ended differently, but I think a season like this requires an ending like this," Nousiainen told Finnish broadcaster "YLE", showing that he has not lost his sense of humor despite his dramatic fall and the resulting injury. 

The Finn landed at 180 meters during the qualification for Friday's ski flying on Thursday and then crashed heavily. He hit his chin and suffered a laceration. Paramedics rushed to the scene immediately and the 26-year-old was taken to hospital.

Further examinations in Finland
After an initial MRI and X-ray, a serious knee injury was diagnosed. "Unfortunately, I have to tell you that I have torn my anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus. But apart from that I'm fine," Nousiainen explained on Instagram. He is now returning to Finland for further examinations.

"The nature of the injury and possible further measures will only be clarified after the examinations in Finland," explained the Finnish federation. It is the bitter end to a mixed season. The 26-year-old never really got back on track. He only finished 53rd in the overall World Cup.