site.btaBulgarian Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova Undergoes Second Surgery in Austria, Remains in Intensive Care

Bulgaria’s top snowboarder Malena Zamfirova has undergone shoulder surgery in Graz following serious injuries sustained in an accident on March 3 in the Czech Republic, the Bulgarian Ski Federation said. The operation was performed on Wednesday and is her second surgical intervention at the Austrian hospital after a previous major surgery on March 9. Zamfirova remains in intensive care. 

Zamfirova was injured in the Czech town of Spindleruv Mlyn while preparing for the upcoming World Cup on March 3. She was hit in the back by a skier descending uncontrollably. As a result of the impact, she suffered multiple fractures and was taken by helicopter to a hospital. Doctors in Czechia performed several emergency surgeries to stabilize the snowboarder. She was then transferred by specialized transport to a clinic in Austria for further treatment.

Bulgaria's rising star made her Snowboard World Cup debut last year in Bansko. At just 15, she claimed her first podium finish with second place in the parallel giant slalom in Krynica, Poland, on March 2, 2025. This season she opened with a third-place finish at the World Cup event in Mylin, China, and in February made her Olympic debut, placing tenth in the women’s parallel giant slalom.