Swiss ski racing legend Lara Gut-Behrami has reported suffered injury following a serious crash during speed training at Copper Mountain, Colorado, on Thursday, November 20, prompting immediate concern from teammates, coaches, and equipment staff.
Swiss-Ski confirmed that Gut-Behrami fell during a training run at the high-altitude American venue, with initial on-site evaluations indicating an injury to her left knee. According to reporting from Swiss newspaper Blick, early suspicions include a possible ACL tear, meniscus damage, and a concussion—though the full extent will only be known once she undergoes comprehensive medical testing.
Gut-Behrami is expected to fly back to Switzerland on Friday, where detailed examinations will take place. In a brief statement, Swiss-Ski said:
“The Olympic champion in the Super-G will return to Switzerland as soon as possible to have a comprehensive medical examination. A statement on the extent of the injury will only be possible after these investigations. Further information will be communicated as soon as a diagnosis is available.”
While details surrounding the crash at Copper remain limited, multiple observers described poor visibility on the Copper Mountain speed track—conditions common during early-season North American training blocks. According to early accounts, Gut-Behrami allegedly caught her hand on a gate, hit a bump, and was then launched into a violent rollover.
Rainer Salzgeber, race manager for Head and one of the first to view the video of the crash, called it “gnarly” and “serious.” According to Blick, the race manager stated, “It was a serious fall,” describing her crash. Salzgeber is not speculating on her condition, saying, “We have to wait and see what the investigations reveal. I sincerely wish Lara a speedy recovery.”
Copper Mountain is the central hub for early-season speed training, especially crucial this year with the women’s first World Cup downhill scheduled unusually late—on December 12 in St. Moritz. Teams rely on the long U.S. training track to log full-length, 90-second speed runs in race conditions. Nearly every major nation is currently on site, amplifying the significance of today’s incident.
If early fears are confirmed, the crash could mark the end of one of the most decorated careers in modern alpine skiing. Gut-Behrami had announced her intention to retire at the end of the 2025-26 season. She had previously stressed that she did not want to suffer another major injury like her 2017 ACL tear, an incident that deeply shaped her perspective on risk and longevity. Today’s crash hits particularly hard in that context.
Gut-Behrami is one of the most successful ski racers of all time. She has claimed two Overall World Cup titles, seven discipline Crystal Globes, Olympic gold in Super-G in 2022, numerous World Championship gold medals, and a total of 48 World Cup victories, making her the second-highest total for a Swiss woman behind Vreni Schneider.
For now, everything hinges on the medical evaluations awaiting her in Switzerland. A severe knee injury would almost certainly bring a premature end to her farewell season—and likely mean the premature end of her illustrious career.
