Reigning Olympic champion Thompson suffers knee injury

Marielle Thompson, the reigning Olympic champion and number one ranked female ski cross athlete in the world, has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) in training.

Thompson was training in Saas Fee, Switzerland with Canada Ski Cross for a pre-season preparation camp when the fall took place. Thompson was doing a training run and overshot a jump, resulting in the crash.

Thompson flew back to Canada for further assessment where an MRI was conducted at Canada Diagnostics in Vancouver to confirm the injury.

“It’s definitely disappointing to hear the results of the MRI after such a productive summer of training in the gym and on snow," said Thompson. "I’ll be making a plan with my team moving forward and when the time is right getting back on the ski cross course stronger than ever.”

“It’s a devastating blow when any of our athletes suffer an injury,” said Willy Raine, Canada Ski Cross Athletic Director.  “Marielle is a superstar in the sport of ski cross and our medical group is working with her to determine the best recovery options. We are fortunate to have an incredible medical group and partner so I know Marielle will return stronger than ever as she is a champion.”

Alpine Canada will continue to update fans with Marielle’s recovery process and are wishing her a speedy recovery and healthy return to the World Cup circuit.