The Austrian lost control and flew down the hill backwards midway through his run in the Italian resort on Saturday (December 19), landing hard on his right side and causing the inflation of a safety air bag for the first-time ever during a race.

Mayer was subsequently airlifted by helicopter to a local hospital in Bolzano,

It was initially believed the safety device may have saved him from a more serious spinal injury.

Further examinations in Innsbruck, however,  revealed a fracture of the sixth and seventh thoracic vertebra.

Mayer had surgery on Saturday evening to bolt together the fifth and eighth vertebras.

"According to the circumstances, Matthias is fine," said Dr Michael Gabl, who performed the operation.

"He will stay at the hospital for at least 10 days before being released for home care."

Although Mayer was affected by the surgery, he is looking ahead to the future with optimism.

"It could have been worse," he said. 

"It will grow back together."

The Sochi 2014 gold medallist suffered severe contusions on both tibias before the World Cup opener in Soelden in Austria in October, but returned to action last month in Lake Louise in Canada where he came second in the super-G.

Norway’s Aksel Lund Svindal went on to win the race in Val Gardena on Saturday, successfully following his super-G victory the day before.