Former U.S. Ski Team Alpine Racer TJ Lanning Dies at 41

The American alpine skiing community is mourning the loss of Thomas "TJ" Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team speed skier and coach, who has died at age 41.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, the sport's national governing body, released a brief statement expressing condolences to Lanning's family, saying it was deeply saddened by the passing of TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team alpine skier and coach whose impact on the sport went far beyond his years of competition, and that its thoughts were with his family, friends and children during this difficult time. As of this writing, no cause of death or additional details have been released. 

Lanning was born Aug. 27, 1984, in Helena, Montana. He announced himself on the international stage early, finishing as the top-ranked junior skier in the world in slalom and super-G in 2001. He went on to represent Team USA at the 2007 World Championships in Sweden, building a reputation as one of the more fearless, all-out racers of his generation on the World Cup speed circuit.

Career Highlights and Equipment Partnership

• Nordica Endorsement: Lanning was a key athlete for Nordica, signing multiple equipment extensions to use their specialized race skis, such as the Nordica Dobermann line, during his World Cup campaigns.

• National Success: Supported by his equipment setup, Lanning achieved the pinnacle of his domestic career by becoming the U.S. Downhill National Champion in 2008.World Cup & National Team:

• He spent 12 years representing the U.S. Alpine Ski Team, securing three top-10 finishes on the World Cup circuit, including a notable ninth-place downhill finish at Lake Louise in November 2008.

Over his career, Lanning collected three top-10 World Cup finishes, including a ninth-place result in the downhill at Lake Louise, Canada, in November 2008, along with top-10 finishes at Beaver Creek and Val Gardena the same season.

His career, however, was also defined by injury. A crash at Lake Louise in November 2009 brought his competitive career to an end, as he lost control and crashed out, suffering a fractured neck and a serious left knee injury.

After retiring from competition, Lanning stayed close to the sport, working with the U.S. Ski Team as a speed skiing coach, mentoring the next generation of American racers and passing along the hard-won knowledge from his own years of racing at the sport's highest, most punishing level.

Lanning is survived by his children. The ski racing community has responded with an outpouring of tributes to a racer remembered as much for his courage on the hill as for his warmth off it.