After horror crash

“I didn’t realize how serious it was”

Sondre Ringen has now spoken about the consequences of his horror crash.(Bild: GEPA)

Norwegian Sondre Ringen has spoken for the first time about his time of suffering after his horror crash at the end of 2023. The 27-year-old suffered serious injuries after his fall in Engelberg. "I didn't realize how serious it was," Ringen sums up now. He struggled with severe pain for a long time afterwards. It has not completely disappeared to this day.

"I didn't realize how serious it actually was. My whole body hurt. There were three brain haemorrhages in different places," Ringen told NRK about the days after his horror crash. At the Continental Cup, the "second league" of ski jumpers, the Norwegian lost control in the air at the end of December 2023 and ended up hitting his head on the ground. 

He lost consciousness shortly after the fall. A concussion, facial injuries and a bruised hip were diagnosed in hospital. Ringen can no longer remember the dramatic moments themselves. 

Ready for the comeback
But he does remember the period of suffering that followed. "I was bedridden for almost half a year. It's like waking up really drunk and the headache just keeps on throbbing," says the 27-year-old. He also shared photos of the facial injuries he suffered on Instagram. According to Ringen, it wasn't until June that he was able to go on smaller outings again. 

The severe headaches in particular have restricted his life since then. Like the persistent neck pain, they could accompany him for several years to come, the doctors explained. Nevertheless, Ringen is working on a comeback, but points out: "After nine months on the couch, you can tell from your body that it's not like it was in December. So a lot of training is required."