Australian snowboarder Brockhoff breaks back in World Cup crash

Belle Brockhoff, of Australia, crashes during qualifications in a U.S. Grand Prix women's snowboarding World Cup event Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Solitude, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer) (Rick Bowmer/The Associated Press)

Three-time Olympic snowboarder Belle Brockhoff has been rushed to hospital after fracturing her back in a high-speed crash while competing in Georgia, the Australian Olympic Committee said Tuesday.

The 32-year-old Australian, who came fourth in snowboard cross at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, suffered the injury at the weekend in a World Cup event.

“Belle was airlifted from the course and taken to a Tbilisi hospital where examination and imaging revealed a fracture of the L1 vertebrae, with no neurological damage,” the AOC said.

“Belle was then evacuated to Greece for surgery.”

Brockhoff was seen as a strong chance of making a fourth Olympics in Milan-Cortina next year.

“We will reassess options together with Belle following surgery over the next 48 hours,” said Olympic Winter Institute of Australia chief Geoff Lipshut.