Italian skier Luca de Aliprandini faced his toughest race at the World Cup giant slalom following his partner Michelle Gisin's severe injury. Despite finishing 26th, her wish for him to compete gave him strength.

Swiss skier Michelle Gisin suffered a serious crash during downhill training in St. Moritz, sustaining injuries to her wrist, knee, and spine. American skiing stars Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn have sent messages of support.

Italian Luca de Aliprandini described Saturday's World Cup giant slalom at Val d'Isere as the hardest race of his life, coming two days after his Swiss partner Michelle Gisin suffered a heavy fall in training which required neck surgery.