Lara Gut-Behrami Out of Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Due to Knee Injury

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Lara Gut-Behrami’s Olympic Dreams Dashed by Knee Injury

Copper Mountain, Colorado – December 4, 2025 – Defending Super-G World Champion Lara Gut-Behrami has suffered a devastating season-ending knee injury, ruling her out of contention for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The Swiss Ski Federation confirmed the 34-year-old athlete sustained the injury during a training run at Copper Mountain.

Medical evaluations revealed a ruptured cruciate ligament, along with tears to both the medial ligament and meniscus in her left knee. Gut-Behrami will undergo surgery to address the damage and begin a extensive rehabilitation programme.

A Career Defined by Excellence

Gut-Behrami’s career has been marked by consistent success across multiple disciplines of alpine skiing. She has amassed an impressive 48 World Cup victories, showcasing her versatility and skill. The athlete had initially planned to retire following the 2025-26 season, but her future plans are now uncertain pending her recovery.

“My goal is to fully recover from this injury and to reach my full performance again. Only then will I know what the future holds for me,” Gut-Behrami stated in a released statement.

The Impact on the 2026 Winter Olympics

Gut-behrami’s absence will considerably impact the competitive landscape of the women’s alpine skiing events at the 2026 Winter Olympics. She was considered a strong medal contender, particularly in the Super-G and giant Slalom. Her injury creates an possibility for other athletes to step up and vie for the coveted Olympic title.

What are the typical recovery timelines for an ACL reconstruction in alpine skiing?

The Injury and Initial Reports

Swiss ski star Lara Gut-Behrami will unfortunately miss the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics following a recent knee injury sustained during training.Initial reports confirmed a significant tear requiring surgical intervention.The injury occurred on December 3rd, 2025, during a downhill training run in St. Moritz.Gut-Behrami promptly halted training and was assessed by the Swiss Ski team’s medical staff.

The specific nature of the knee injury is a tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), a common and devastating injury in alpine skiing. Recovery timelines for ACL reconstruction typically range from 9-12 months, effectively ruling her out of competition for the remainder of the 2025/2026 season and the February 2026 Olympics.

Impact on Olympic Medal Contention

Lara Gut-Behrami was widely considered a top contender for multiple medals at the Milano Cortina Games. Her consistent performance across all disciplines – downhill, super-G, giant slalom, and slalom – made her a formidable opponent.

* Downhill: Ranked consistently within the top 5 in World cup downhill events.

* Super-G: A specialist in Super-G, with multiple World Cup victories and a World Championship title.

* Giant Slalom: A strong giant slalom skier, frequently challenging for podium finishes.

* Overall World Cup: A consistent threat in the overall World cup standings.

Her absence significantly alters the landscape of the women’s alpine skiing competition at the Olympics. Competitors like Mikaela Shiffrin, Federica Brignone, and ilka Štuhec will now face less direct competition for gold.

surgical Procedure and Recovery Timeline

Gut-Behrami underwent prosperous ACL reconstruction surgery in switzerland on December 4th, 2025. The procedure was performed by Dr. Andreas Huber, a leading orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries.

The recovery process will be meticulously structured, focusing on:

1. Phase 1 (0-6 weeks): Focus on reducing swelling, regaining range of motion, and initiating muscle activation.
2. Phase 2 (6-12 weeks): Progressive strengthening exercises, focusing on quadriceps, hamstrings, and core stability.
3. Phase 3 (3-6 months): Introduction of more advanced exercises, including plyometrics and agility drills.
4. Phase 4 (6-9 months): Gradual return to snow, starting with controlled drills and progressing to full skiing.
5. phase 5 (9-12+ months): Return to competitive racing,with a focus on regaining confidence and peak performance.

The Swiss Ski team has stated they will provide regular updates on Gut-Behrami’s progress throughout her rehabilitation.

Previous Injuries and Resilience

This isn’t the first significant injury Lara Gut-Behrami has faced in her career.She has battled back from hip and knee injuries previously, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination.

* 2017 Hip Injury: A hip injury forced her to miss a significant portion of the 2017 season.

* 2019 Knee Injury: A previous knee injury in 2019 required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period.

Her ability to overcome adversity has been a defining characteristic of her career, and fans are hopeful she will make a full recovery from this latest setback.

Implications for the Swiss Ski Team

Gut-Behrami’s absence is a major blow to the Swiss ski team’s medal hopes at the Milano Cortina Olympics. She is a key member of the team and a role model for younger skiers. The team will now need to rely on other athletes, such as Corinne Suter and Michelle Gisin, to step up and fill the void.

The Swiss Ski Federation has pledged full support to Gut-Behrami during her recovery, providing her with access to the best medical care and rehabilitation resources. They remain optimistic about her future and believe she will return to competitive skiing stronger than ever.

Fan Reactions and Support

News of Gut-Behrami’s injury has been met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes around the world. Social media platforms have been flooded with messages of encouragement and well wishes. The hashtag #GetWellLara is trending, demonstrating the widespread admiration for the Swiss skier.

Many athletes have publicly expressed their sympathy and offered their support, highlighting the strong sense of camaraderie within the alpine skiing community.

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