Former U.S. Ski Team Member TJ Lanning Dies at 41

TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team alpine skier and coach, died July 2 in Park City, Utah, at age 41, nypost.com reported. The cause of death has not been revealed. Lindsey Vonn posted a tribute on her Instagram story.

“TJ (aka crowbar jr) – we’ve known each other since we were 12,” Vonn wrote. “We shared a lot of memories on the mountain. I hope you are at peace my friend. We will all miss you. ” Lanning ranked as the top junior in the world in slalom and Super-G in 2001.

A 2009 crash fractured his neck and caused a severe knee injury, leading to his retirement from competition. He remained with the U.S. team for more than two decades as a skier and coach. US Ski & Snowboard issued a statement.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team alpine skier and coach whose impact on our sport went far beyond his years of competition,” the organization said. ” Vonn is recovering from a complex tibia fracture she suffered during the downhill at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.

She has undergone eight surgeries on her leg since the incident.