Ahead of season start: ÖSV ski jumper sidelined for extended period

Austrian ski jumper Jonas Schuster will miss the season opener in Lillehammer as well as several other events this season. The Tyrolean suffered a metatarsal fracture.

However, the 23-year-old did not suffer the injury on the hill. On Saturday, Schuster twisted his foot at home, sustaining a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal bone, according to the ÖSV.

"We will give him the time he needs"

"This is of course very bitter for Jonas, especially so close to the start of the season. He developed very well over the summer and was on a good path," said head coach Andreas Widhölzl.

However, a return to the hill later this season remains possible. Schuster already underwent surgery on Sunday. A full recovery is now the main priority. "We will give him the time he needs for that, and of course we hope he can return to competition during the course of this season," emphasized Widhölzl.

23-year-old Raffael Zimmermann has been called up as a replacement for the season opener in Lillehammer on November 21 and 22. For the Tyrolean, it will be his first appearance in the Ski Jumping World Cup.