Lindsey Vonn Mourns Childhood Friend, Skier TJ Lanning, Who Passed Away at 41
Key Points
- 1. Former US national ski team athlete and coach TJ Lanning passed away at the age of 41.
- 2. Lanning passed away on July 2; details regarding the cause of death were not disclosed.
- 3. Lindsey Vonn shared an emotional farewell message on Instagram for her childhood friend.
- 4. Forced to retire from sports at 25 due to a severe injury in 2009, Lanning had transitioned to coaching.
By the Numbers
Former US national skier TJ Lanning passed away on July 2 at the age of 41. Details regarding Lanning's death are currently unknown. One of the individuals mourning him the most is his childhood friend and former teammate, legendary skier Lindsey Vonn.
During the 2000s, Lanning trained and competed for years alongside Vonn on the US Alpine Ski Team. On July 14, via an Instagram post, Vonn shared an emotional farewell message, wishing peace for her friend, whom she stated she had known since they were 12 years old.
Following a severe crash in a World Cup race in Canada in 2009, Lanning was forced to end his competitive career at just 25 years old due to neck and knee injuries. However, never stepping away from the sport of skiing, Lanning later continued to serve as a coach for the US Ski Team, leaving behind two children.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Who was TJ Lanning?
- A: TJ Lanning was a former alpine skier who became a US National Downhill champion, competed in the World Cup, and later served as a coach for the US Ski Team.
- Q: Why did TJ Lanning's competitive career come to an end?
- A: Lanning was forced to leave the sport at the age of 25 after breaking his neck and suffering a severe knee injury in a crash during a World Cup race in Canada in 2009.
- Q: What did Lindsey Vonn say about TJ Lanning?
- A: In her social media post, Vonn stated she wished peace for her friend—whom she had known since she was 12—by recalling the memories they shared in the mountains.
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