Three-time Aussie Olympian 'heartbroken' as ACL injury ends her Milano Cortina dream
Updated . First published
Three-time Olympian Laura Peel has been ruled out of the aerials skiing competition at Milano Cortina 2026 after failing to recover from an ACL injury.
Peel damaged her right knee in training of February 3 and has now made the tough call to withdraw with official training set to start.
"I'm heartbroken my Olympic dream has come to an end in this way. I put everything into this campaign, and never imagined I wouldn't make it to the start gate," she said in a statement on Saturday.
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"I'm grateful for all the support I have received from the medical and support teams, we have worked so hard to try and change this outcome, but unfortunately it's not meant to be."
Laura Peel at the Aerials World Cup in Canada. Getty
Peel had moved her training to Livigno to keep her Milano Cortina 2026 dreams alive after suffering the injury but a staged progression of criteria based strength, stability and functional testing did not work in time.
Two weeks ago, the 36-year-old underwent specialist testing and treatment with the team physiotherapist in Switzerland.
Training for the women's aerials begins on today with competition officially kicking off on February 17.
Watch the Winter Olympic Games Milano Cortina 2026 live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now. Plus, every event live & on demand, every medal in 4K, and exclusive international coverage on Stan Sport.
Peel entered the training camp in peak form, fresh off her first World Cup victory of the season in Lac-Beauport, Canada.
Milano Cortina was set to be Peel's fourth Olympic appearance, following her representation of Australia at Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018, and Beijing 2022.
Despite being a two-time world champion, Peel has yet to stand on an Olympic podium.
Representing Australia in the aerials are Abbey Wilcox, Airleigh Frigo, Danielle Scott and Reilly Flanagan.
