World champion ski jumper Alex Loutitt is finding some positives during her recovery from a serious knee injury. The 21-year-old athlete from Calgary, who made history as the first Canadian to claim a world title in women’s large hill skiing in 2023, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during a September Olympic test event in Predazzo, Italy. This injury will prevent her from participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina, Italy, in February.
Loutitt, currently in Salzburg, Austria, undergoing rehabilitation at Red Bull’s Athlete Performance Center, expressed that it will be about a year before she can return to competition. The incident occurred during a qualifying jump on Sept. 19 in Predazzo, where jumpers land on artificial surfaces instead of snow during the summer Grand Prix season. Due to a previous knee surgery in 2022, Loutitt was aware of existing weaknesses in her knee, which led to the unfortunate injury.
Following surgery performed by Dr. Christian Fink, a specialist in orthopedic surgery and sports traumatology in Innsbruck, Austria, Loutitt remained in Austria due to concerns about blood clots. Despite the common perception of entry into Red Bull’s athlete program as lucrative, Loutitt emphasized the emotional support she has received during her rehabilitation process.
Engaged in various treatments like water therapy, anti-gravity treadmills, hyperbaric chambers, and stimulation machines, Loutitt, who has attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), commended the personalized approach of her therapists. She emphasized the importance of staying motivated and feeling supported throughout her recovery journey.
While disappointed about missing the Olympics, Loutitt remains positive and looks forward to backing the Canadian team and her Austrian boyfriend, Daniel Tschofenig, at the event. She sees this setback as a potential opportunity for new roles within the sport and is determined to show up for those who matter to her, including cheering on her boyfriend during the competition.