A death shakes the US team. © Doug Pensinger / Getty Images North America / AFP

He once shone in Val Gardena: Ski ace has died

The ski world is in mourning: As was announced late Tuesday evening, a former US ski racer has died at the age of only 41.

July 08, 2026

From: sn

TJ Lanning was known for his fearless riding style, his resilience despite numerous serious injuries, and for the passion he passed on to the next generation as a coach. The American has now died at the age of 41.

The portal reports on this. Ski Racing MediaNo cause of death was given. The U.S. Ski Team confirmed Lanning's death. "We are deeply saddened by the passing of TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team athlete and coach whose influence on our sport extended far beyond his competitive career," the team wrote.

A short but intense career

As a young athlete, Lanning was one of the country's most promising talents, first attracting attention at the Junior World Championships in 2001 and 2002. His World Cup debut followed later that same year. In 42 races, the speed specialist finished in the top 10 three times – including a top-10 finish in Val Gardena on the Saslong course. In 2008, he finished tenth in the downhill race won by Austrian Michael Walchhofer. That same year, he qualified for the World Cup Finals and became the national downhill champion. Lanning was also nominated for the 2007 World Championships in Åre, Sweden, where his best result was a 20th-place finish in the Alpine Combined.

TJ Lanning was also a passionate coach. Here with Steven Nyman and Ryan Cochran-Siegle © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / DOUG PENSINGER

In the fall of 2009, the then 25-year-old Lanning was forced to end his career. The reason: a severe crash in the downhill race in Lake Louise, in which he dislocated his left knee and fractured his C5 vertebra. He subsequently switched sides and became a coach. "His death at such a young age is a great loss for the American ski community," writes [source missing]. Ski Racing Media finally.