“That was really brutal”
Ski ace threatened to lose foot
Updated 12/12/2025 – 10:54 amReading time: 1 min.
An infection after an operation almost cost Jonas Lenherr his career. Now the Swiss is back – and talks about his suffering.
Jonas Lenherr is facing a special moment: The ski crosser from St. Gallen returns to the World Cup this week in Val Thorens – after more than a year and a half full of pain, doubts and operations. “I’m incredibly grateful to be back on the slopes,” the 36-year-old told the Swiss newspaper “Blick”.
In March 2024, Lenherr initially only suspected a sprain when he fell in Veysonnaz. However, the diagnosis was much worse: fracture of the left lower ankle. Surgery only relieved the pain for a short time. Sensory disturbances in the leg also occurred. Lenherr had to spend most of the time lying down at home: “That was really brutal.”
When he was about to make his comeback at the end of the year, problems arose again. Lenherr had to stop training. He remembers that time: “I didn’t know what was going on. That messes you up.” An MRI showed an infection. An emergency operation followed.
One sentence from his doctor stuck with him: “You were lucky that the joint wasn’t affected, because you only see so much pus in amputations.” Today Lenherr is looking forward. He wants to regain his footing in the World Cup – and hopes to take part in the Olympic Games.