Greg Minnaar, last year's winner of the World Cup Series and bronze medallist at last year's World Championships, broke his left collar bone yesterday morning while in training for the World Downhill Championships in Kaprun and is out of the competition.

The accident happened in the rooted forest section at the top of the course when Greg's leg hit a tree at speed and he fell hard on his left shoulder. Apparently the break is not complicated and does not require surgery, but doctors expect Greg to take four weeks to recover.

Greg's team, Global Racing, say that he won't be in any upcoming competitions, but they do think he'll still be able to make the Big Air Training Camp in Spain in October.

Minnaar is obviously gutted not to be racing, and he sent messages of thanks to his team and mechanic for their support, and to Steve Peat and Mick Hannah who helped him after his fall. The South African was one of the medal favourites, so his early exit from the worlds won't be overly mourned by all remaining competitors.