Lauren Macuga Out for Season: U.S. Skiing Loses Medal Hopeful to Knee Injury

Injury Suffered in Training Session Ends Speedster’s 2025/26 Campaign

FILEY, England — In a blow for Team USA, world-class skier Lauren Macuga will miss the rest of the 2025/26 alpine skiing season after suffering a knee injury in training, U.S. Ski & Snowboard confirmed on their social media channels on Friday, November 28.

Injury Details and Reaction

Macuga, 23, fell during giant slalom training on Friday at Copper Mountain, Colorado. According to U.S. Ski & Snowboard, she injured her right knee and underwent surgery, forcing her to end her fourth World Cup season prematurely.

“BREAKING NEWS. It’s me, I’m what’s broken 😞 RIP acl, see you all next year 🫡”

– Lauren Macuga, on Instagram

Tributes and messages of support poured in from across the globe, with ski stars like Stephanie Venier (Stephanie is a Super G world champion.) and rising talents Emma Aicher and Alice Robinson encouraging her swift recovery.

Rising Star: Macuga’s Impressive 2024-25 Season

• Fourth place in the downhill at Beaver Creek
• Super G victory in St. Anton
• Second place in the downhill at Kvitfjell
• Bronze medal in the Super G at the 2025 FIS Alpine Ski World Championships

Olympic Hopes Dashed for This Season

Macuga had aspired to qualify for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, aiming to make history alongside her sisters Sam (ski jumping) and Alli (freestyle skiing). If they had all made Team USA, the Macuga sisters would have been only the third set of siblings to represent the U.S. at the same Winter Olympics.

Impact on U.S. Team and Fellow Skiers

Macuga’s absence will significantly affect the U.S. team, where she was renowned for her energetic personality and impressive performances alongside legends like Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin.

“She’s such a hard worker and she’s so positive […] Everybody navigates injuries very individually. So mostly it’s just to say we support you through it all and everything you’ve been doing is right.”

– Mikaela Shiffrin, to USA Today

Did you know?

Fun fact: Lauren Macuga is not the first elite skier to face an ACL injury. Multiple Olympic and World Championship medalist Lindsey Vonn underwent three knee surgeries throughout her career.

Pro tip:

If you’re an alpine skiing fan, make sure to follow @usskiteam on Twitter for live updates and breaking news on U.S. Ski & Snowboard athletes.

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