Austrian ski star Marcel Hirscher will be out of action until at least mid-November after fracturing his ankle, meaning he will miss the two opening World Cup events, his doctor said on Friday.

The six-time overall World Cup champion will miss the giant slalom opener at Soelden on October 29 while the slalom at Levi on November 12 is also "too soon", Gerhard Oberthaler said.

The 28-year-old crashed on his first day of training on Thursday. He has to wear a cast on his lower left leg for six weeks, although no operation is necessary.

The accident came six months ahead of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang in South Korea. Despite his huge success elsewhere, Hirscher has never won an Olympic title.

source: AFP