Ski Sunday presenter Chemmy Alcott hospitalized after lake jump collapses lung

Chemmy Alcott, the 44-year-old former GB Olympic skier and current Ski Sunday co-presenter, suffered a collapsed lung after jumping into Lake Annecy in the French Alps. The incident occurred while she was on holiday in France, when she performed a front flip off a five-metre platform and landed badly. Alcott shared a clip on Instagram showing the jump and subsequent hospital stay, with tubes and wires attached. She initially attempted to jump again out of embarrassment but soon realized she couldn't breathe properly and sought medical attention. The injury, medically known as a pneumothorax, was caused by blunt trauma from hitting the water at an estimated 20mph. The Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS) advises against jumping from heights and emphasizes entering water slowly and carefully. Alcott, who raced in all five disciplines and competed in four Winter Olympics, retired from competition in 2014 on doctor's orders after several leg breaks. She joined Ski Sunday as a regular contributor and became lead co-presenter alongside Ed Leigh in 2021. She recently covered the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina for BBC One.