site.btaBulgarian Snowboarder Malena Zamfirova Injured During Preparation for World Cup

Bulgarian snowboarder Malena Zamfirova was injured in the Czech town of Spindleruv Mlyn while preparing for the upcoming World Cup, the Bulgarian Ski Federation said on Wednesday.

According to the Federation, the 16-year-old Zamfirova was hit in the back by a drunk tourist who was 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. Zamfirova is expected to be transferred by specialized transport to a clinic in Austria, where she will continue her treatment. 

Malena Zamfirova made her Snowboard World Cup debut in 2025 in Bansko. At just 15 years old, she scored her first podium finish, finishing second in the parallel giant slalom in Krynica-Zdroj, Poland on March 2, 2025. She took two silver and one gold medals at the FIS Snowboard Alpine Junior World Championships 2025 in Zakopane, Poland.

This season, Zamfirova started with a third-place finish in the World Cup race in Mylin, China, and in February she made her Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina Games. In Livigno, the young Bulgarian ranked tenth in the women's parallel giant slalom.

The last start Malena participated in was in Krynica-Zdroj on March 1. There she registered another strong performance, finishing in third position.