Canadian history maker and budding ski jumping star Alexandria Loutitt will miss the upcoming Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, after sustaining a season-ending knee injury at the FIS Ski Jumping Summer Grand Prix in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
The 21-year-old was treated by medical officials in a local hospital following the competition, but elected to return to Innsbruck, Austria, where she will undergo knee surgery some time in the near future, according to a statement released by Ski Jumping Canada.
With an expected rehabilitation period of one-year, it is unlikely she’ll return to competition before the end of the season.
“I am heartbroken that this injury will prevent me from representing Canada at the upcoming Olympic Winter Games,” Loutitt told Ski Jumping Canada.
“I feel like I’m letting down my family, friends, and teammates as well as the incredible sponsors that have embraced my journey. This is the toughest part for me to accept.”
A bronze medallist in the mixed team event at the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022, Loutitt was expected to spearhead a revitalized Canadian ski jumping team at Milano Cortina 2026.
She’d built up a formidable résumé in preparation for the competition at the Predazzo Ski Jumping Stadium, including the first-ever junior and senior World Championship titles for a ski jumper from Canada, as well as two World Cup wins – backed up by eleven podiums.
“I know that I am still young, and I am grateful for everything I’ve already achieved in ski jumping,” added Loutitt. “This is a setback in my journey, but it’s not the end.”
“I will put in as much hard work into my recovery as my Olympic preparation and come back stronger for the future.”