Australian Teenager Daisy Thomas Emulates Lindsey Vonn by Competing at Winter Olympics Without an ACL
Fearless Australian teenager Daisy Thomas shares a remarkable connection with alpine skiing great Lindsey Vonn, as both athletes are competing at the Winter Olympics without an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Vonn recently revealed she ruptured her ACL in a crash just before her fifth Olympic appearance, yet the American veteran still plans to participate in the women's downhill event in Milan-Cortina.
Thomas's Injury and Determined Comeback
Thomas, an 18-year-old freeskier from Sydney, suffered a similar setback when she crashed during a World Cup freeski big air competition in China last December. Initial medical assessments suggested the knee injury would prevent her from making her Olympic debut, a devastating blow for the young athlete who was on track for a medal. She had qualified second for the finals in the Secret Garden event, showcasing her potential on the global stage.
Despite scans confirming the severity of the injury, Thomas refused to abandon her Olympic dream. Demonstrating incredible resilience, she returned to competition just 47 days later at the Laax Open in Switzerland. This swift comeback highlights her determination and physical preparedness, setting the stage for her Olympic participation.
Olympic Competition Details and Course Impressions
Thomas is now set to compete in the freeski slopestyle qualifying event on Saturday in Livigno, Italy. Her teammate, Valentino Guseli, will be the first Australian in action after gaining a spot in the snowboard big air following Canadian champion Mark McMorris's withdrawal due to injury.
In a practice run in Livigno on Thursday, Thomas expressed confidence in her condition, stating, "I did my ACL about a month-and-a-half ago, so I'm just skiing without an ACL at the minute. I'm strong enough, I'm capable enough, and I've got my tricks back, so I'm able to do it and I don't really notice it at all." She remains focused on her goal, adding, "The goal still remains the same — I'd love to get an Olympic medal."
Thomas praised the Olympic course in Livigno, located in the Italian Alps near the Swiss border, describing it as "super fun." She noted, "It's a very big course and it's a very Olympic course. It's nice that we have three standard jumps as opposed to some funky things in there, so that gives us a lot of opportunity for a lot of different tricks. All the features are really trickable, which is super refreshing." She also commented on the challenging rails, saying, "When you get an Olympic course, the rails are a lot higher out the ground, and a lot longer as well. Some of the rails are taller than me, but it's super fun. That relationship with fear is the reason a lot of us do this sport."
Competitive Field and Inspirational Parallels
In the slopestyle event, Thomas will face stiff competition from athletes like Chinese superstar Eileen Gu, who won silver in Beijing after securing gold in both big air and halfpipe, and Switzerland's Mathilde Gremaud, the reigning Olympic and world champion. This adds an extra layer of challenge to Thomas's Olympic journey.
Her story mirrors that of Lindsey Vonn, underscoring the mental and physical toughness required in elite winter sports. Both athletes exemplify how perseverance can overcome significant physical obstacles, inspiring fans and fellow competitors alike.
