Laurenne Ross Sustains Heartbreaking Injury

Laurenne Ross (Bend, Ore.) sustained a concussion and left-knee injury on Thursday morning prior to the downhill training run during her warm-up, sidelining her for the foreseeable future. 

The crash came after a violent crash in Tuesday's FIS Alpine World Ski Championships super-G, where Ross went through a panel and slid into the safety net, but was OK and able to ski to the finish.

Ross, who suffered a severe knee injury at U.S. Alpine Championships late in the 2017 season, worked tirelessly to make a comeback in time to qualify for the 2018 Olympic Team. She was a part of the fastest downhill team in the world in 2018. She struggled to find her groove early this season but had made considerable steps forward in the month of January, scoring inside of the points in every single start since the new year - including three top 15 results. 

Ross shared her thoughts in an Instagram post on Saturday: 

On Thursday morning, while warming up for the training run, I crashed and sustained a concussion and left-knee injury. My knee doesn't seem to need surgery, but it is time for some rest for both my body and head. Unfortunately this means I won't be able to race in the World Champs DH tomorrow, and will likely be out for the remainder of the season.

Although this injury is not 'severe,' it is incredibly disheartening. I've had such a good feeling on my skis over the last month, and have felt like things were coming together on and off the hill. It's been almost 2 years since my last knee injury, and I was finally starting to ski like myself again: with drive, hunger, and without an overwhelming amount of fear or doubt. So...this moment is a bit of a reality check. Some would call it a slap in the face 👋 it certainly feels as though I've been slapped, and I suppose, realistically, I have. I mean, I face planted pretty dang hard. Nothing like a good, snowy-mountain slap! 

I don't know what the future holds, but what I do know is that I won't let this injury stop me from standing back up again. From continuing to dream. From helping me grow into the person I was meant to be.

I'll be in the finish tomorrow to cheer on my teammates Alice Merryweather and Lindsey Vonn. Although it won't be in the capacity I'd hoped, I'll be there for Lindsey's last race, and last finish hug. I'm so grateful that I'll be able to be there, and grateful for the journey that got me here.

Thanks for all of the love and support ❤️ I'll keep you all updated as things progress! XOXO