Lindsey Vonn mourns long-time companion Thomas Lanning

Thomas Lanning, also known as TJ Lanning within the US ski team, died suddenly and unexpectedly, according to the federation. The exact cause of death is not yet known, according to the US ski team. On its official profile, the federation honored him as a former alpine ski racer and coach "whose influence on our sport extended far beyond his active racing career." The federation added: "Our thoughts are with his family, friends and children during this difficult time."

On social media, condolences piled up under the post, including from prominent former colleagues and rivals from the skiing world. The Norwegian ski legends Kjetil Jansrud and Aksel Lund Svindal, as well as Switzerland's Carlo Janka — all themselves World Cup specialists — expressed their sympathy under the post. This showed how well-connected Lanning was within the international skiing scene — beyond the borders of the United States as well.

Career of a Speed Specialist

During his active career, Lanning was considered a speed specialist and competed in a total of 42 World Cup races. He made the top ten three times. In 2008, he secured the title of US downhill champion. He ended his career as a racer at the age of 25 due to injury. He subsequently moved to the coaching side and continued to work within the US ski team.

For Vonn, who by her own account had recently suffered a severe crash in which amputation had been threatened, the loss comes during what is already a difficult phase. The athlete, who has struggled with injuries repeatedly over the past years and at one point had even considered retirement, is by her own account working on a return to the World Cup. The death of such a close confidant weighs especially heavy in this situation.

Condolences from the International Ski Scene

The reactions from the skiing community show that Lanning was respected far beyond his sporting career. Jansrud, Svindal and Janka belong to a generation of speed skiers who were active in parallel with or shortly after Lanning and who knew and valued his behind-the-scenes work. Former teammates and current athletes also commented under Vonn's post.

The US ski team announced that it will honor the deceased in internal formats and continue to support his family. No details about funeral arrangements or a public memorial event were initially known. What is clear is that Lanning — both as an athlete and as a coach — left marks on the US ski team that will outlast his active career.

The news of Lanning's death joins a series of severe personal blows that Vonn has had to endure in recent years. It makes it all the more remarkable that she turned to the public immediately and with explicit sympathy, placing her long-standing friendship with Lanning at the center.