Lindsey Vonn pays tribute after death of childhood | Sports News

Lindsey Vonn has penned a heartfelt message to U.S. Alpine skier TJ Lanning, who handed away final week aged 41.

Seen as a generational Alpine skier, Lanning was the top-ranked junior on the earth in 2001, when Vonn started to make a title for herself earlier than her first Winter Olympics in 2002. Lanning turned a promising velocity skier, earlier than a fractured neck ended his profession.

Lanning went on to work with the U.S. Ski Team as a velocity skating coach, aiding their 2026 Winter Olympics workforce. He handed away final week, with no trigger of death confirmed.

Having competed on the identical occasions as Lanning from a younger age, Vonn posted a tribute on her social media platforms.

Vonn posted: “We’ve identified one another since we had been 12. We shared a lot of recollections on the mountain. I hope you’re at peace, my buddy. We will all miss you. Until we meet again, Chicken.”

Lanning suffered a fractured C5 vertebra in his neck, along with serious left knee injuries, forcing him to retire aged just 25, before transitioning into coaching with the US ski team, eventually moving to speed skating.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard posted: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team alpine skier and coach whose affect on our sport went far past his years of competitors.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and children during this difficult time.”

Vonn not too long ago sustained her own severe accidents after a doubtlessly career-ending fall, along with her future within the sport in query. There had been even strategies that she might should endure amputation.

She was wiped out during a downhill ski run and was so badly injured that she needed airlifting to a native hospital. Scans confirmed a advanced tibia fracture, fibular head fracture, and tibial plateau fracture.