Rising Ski Racing Star Ava Sunshine To Miss Entire Season Due To Injury
21-year-old ski racer Ava Sunshine was poised to have a breakout season on the World Cup circuit, but an injury is putting her dreams on hold.
Sunshine took to Instagram on September 14th, 2023 to tell her followers that she tore the ACL in her right knee during a recent training session in New Zealand.
Post below.
From the caption:
"I’m sad to share I tore my ACL at the end of camp in NZ. Not really sure what else to say. I’m heartbroken to miss out on this season, but know there’s still a lot more I want to do. So we move forward and look ahead to that
Thanks to all who continue to support and believe💗 @nina_obrien and I will be back soon😘 24/25"
Sunshine hails from Edwards, Colorado but currently calls Los Angeles, California home. She attended the Vail Ski & Snowboard Academy and the Burke Mountain Academy in her youth.
Sunshine made her World Cup debut in Levi, Finland last season earning her first World Cup points with back-to-back 21st and 27th place finishes in slalom.
Many in the ski racing community believed that Sunshine would continue to improve during the '23-'24 season, and could have potentially become a top competitor in her disciplines.
A torn ACL is devastating, but will certainly not mark the end of Sunshine's career. She mentions in her caption that she's already thinking ahead to the '24-'25 season.
Sunshine's peers and mentors reached out in the comments to offer support. US ski racing all-time great Daron Rahlves offered an encouraging message:
"Ahhh, that’s terrible. So sorry @ava.jemison … it’s a challenge, but stay positive. That will help you heal faster. You know how to grind and work hard when the time is right. Sending positive energy your way."
All of us at Powder are wishing her a healthy and speedy recovery over the coming months. We know this isn't the end of her bright future as a competitor for Team USA.
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