A skier was admitted to hospital with a hole in his leg following a horrific training accident.
Adrien Theaux was at Copper Mountain resort, Colorado, USA working on his skills ahead of the Super-G downhill event, when disaster struck.
The Frenchman came off the track and crashed into the forest, when he was pierced by a tree branch.
The 37-year-old was left with breaks in his leg and arm as well as a nasty wound.
He underwent successful surgery and has been left with severe scarring, but Theaux is thankful that it wasn’t even worse.
He took to Instagram to update everyone on his health following the accident.
"Hi everyone, I am here to give you some news following my accident which occurred last Monday in training in the USA,” he wrote.
"After making a mistake in Super-G, I went straight into the protective nets, and stopped in the forest.
"Assessment, fracture of the tibia, damage of the elbow with tearing of the triceps, and a hole in the thigh due to a branch which dragged by there.
"However, in my misfortune I was extremely lucky given the circumstances, nothing vital was touched and this is most important."
The well-wishes poured in for the skier and he is now recovering at home after having had two operations to treat his various injuries.
He thanked the medical staff for their hard work and his team and the fans for their support during an incredibly challenging time.
"Thanks to our physiotherapist @arnaud_sudrewho was there too and without whom I would not have had access to the two surgeons Vaiola and Gaudin who did an extraordinary job during the two operations,” he continued.
"Thank you to my family and all my 'brothers' for their support.
"Sorry to all my sponsors, all the people who support me and believe in me, for not being able to make you dream this winter.
"A huge thank you to all for your messages of support!"
Théaux has represented France at three Winter Olympics and seven World Championships; his best finish is a bronze medal at the Super-G event in 2015, emanating from Beaver Creek, Colorado.
