Paragliding accident on birthday
Fractured lumbar vertebra: end of season for ski ace
October 14, 2025 – 7:26 p.mReading time: 1 min.
On her 26th birthday, Flora Dolci had an accident while paragliding. The accident has no neurological consequences for her. But in terms of sport, it’s a tough one.
A paragliding trip ended up in the hospital for cross-country skier Flora Dolci – on her 26th birthday of all days. The Frenchwoman was seriously injured in the accident and suffered a fractured lumbar vertebra. The result: She will miss the Olympic season.
A blessing in disguise, however: Dolci will not suffer any permanent damage. Initially there was concern that the injury could have neurological after-effects, as France’s team doctor Thibault Barbe told the newspaper “L’Équipe” following the operation on the ninth-placed World Cup team in Grenoble. Dolci is doing well, she can walk. “But we estimate that it will take six months until she has reached 100 percent of her performance again,” said Barbe.
In terms of sport, things went well for Dolci last season: last winter she was the best Frenchwoman in the overall World Cup, finishing 27th. She achieved her best result with sixth place in the 20 kilometer freestyle race in the Engadine. At the World Championships in Trondheim she ran in the top ten in the 50 kilometer freestyle.