Ilka Stuhec & Marielle Thompson Sustain Severe Knee Injuries

During slalom training in Pitztal, Austria Slovenian World Cup star Ilka Stuhec suffered a severe knee injury following a fall. The 2016/17 World Cup title winner in downhill and alpine combined and runner-up in the overall and super-G standings sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee during a crash while training on the glacier.

Stuhec will undergo surgery on Wednesday, 25 October, and more information about her condition and rehabilitation will be available after that time.

She was recently named a Milka Ski Star and was looking forward to kicking off the new season sporting the iconic purple helmet emblazoned with "ilka" across the front.

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 super star 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.”