The 2018 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Pyeongchang, South Korea from Feb. 9 through Feb. 25. It will be the second time women’s ski jumping will be contested after it was added to the schedule prior to the Sochi Games in 2014.

The following is an account of the Olympic Trials event that was posted on the USA Nordic website:

—

Despite perfect weather and huge crowds, USA Nordic suffered the loss of Nina Lussi for the Olympic season.

Nina Lussi, of Lake Placid, soars through the air as a member of the U.S. women’s ski jumping team. Lussi tore her anterior cruciate ligament during the Olympic Trials last weekend in Park City, Utah. (Provided photo — Clint Jones, USA Nordic)

Nina Lussi entered this season with a focused attitude and a Nationals title at the Flaming Leaves Festival in Lake Placid, highlighting her commitment to training and her elevated prowess on the ski jump.

She has led the US domestically and abroad on many occasions this season and the Olympic trials seemed like a perfect opportunity to vie for a berth on a very competitive USA Nordic women’s ski jumping team for the upcoming games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.

Lussi, as many observed on national television, jumped very well but in the second round of Sunday’s Olympic Trials in Park City, Utah suffered a fall. While the fans gasped and leaned to see if she would regain her feet those at home saw it play out clearly that she was not getting up.

The patrol at the Utah Olympic Park was very quick to respond, helping her into a sled and out of the outrun of the HS98 meter hill. This left fans and friends left to wonder how was she doing?

Lussi, a 23 year old from Lake Placid, NY soon learned that she had torn her ACL and suffered other damage that would require surgical care and a road to recovery beyond the horizon of the upcoming games. Despite all that transpired Lussi had the following to share, “I am proud of what I have accomplished leading up to this Olympic season (and) I proved that I am ready.”

While admitting, “I am heartbroken and would have been so proud to represent the United States in Pyeongchang.” She also added that, “Hard work pays off, and I will use this focus and drive to invest it in my future in the sport of ski jumping.”

USA Nordic Executive Director Billy Demong (of Vermontville) added, “I’ve known Nina since she first began in the sport. In addition to passing down equipment to her I’ve watched her really develop as a competitor this year and was looking forward to seeing how she could help push the level of our team.”

He added, “It is with great sadness that her teammates and our whole organization accept that her dreams for this season are at an end. However, we are all inspired by her look to the future and how she can turn what has taken her this far and help propel herself and her teammates into the future.”

Nina has expressed that she is really feeling comforted by all the people who are sending her well wishes. If you feel the desire, please send yours to her Facebook page.