VAL D'ISERE, France -- An 8th place finish in the alpine combined Sunday qualified Oregon's Laurenne Ross for a post on U.S. Olympic team. She is also expected to compete in super G.
Especially challenging for Ross was recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery last spring. This was only her second race since the surgery, last week at Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.
Had a fun weekend in Cortina! Starting to enjoy the speed again.... Feels so nice to work with fear and learn to embrace the journey. Excited for more to come!!! For now...I'm headed home for a quick break! ✌️ pic.twitter.com/KJndYYZKsL
Ross was born in Canada, moving to Oregon as a child. She graduated from high in school in Klamath Falls and attended the University of Oregon. She now calls Bend home.
Laurenne Ross fast facts:
She had dreadlocks for six years, but cut them because they kept hitting her in the face. She was an art major at the University of Oregon and has designed helmets for Shred, the company owned by fellow American Ted Ligety. A crash left Ross with more than 200 stitches in her face. She plays the violin, guitar and piano, and even taught teammate Stacey Cook how to play the guitar. Her favorite song to play on the guitar is “Where do my Bluebirds Fly” by The Tallest Man on Earth.
Height: 5-7
Weight: 150
DOB: 8/17/1988
Birthplace: Edmonton, Canada
Hometown: Bend, Ore.
High School: Klamath Union High School (Klamath Falls, Ore.) '06
College: University of Oregon
Team/Club: Mt. Bachelor Sports Education Foundation
Olympic Experience
Two-time Olympian (2014, 2018)
Sochi 2014, 11th (downhill), DNF (super-G, super combined)
World Championship Experience
Most Recent: 2018 8th super-G ; 2017 – 5th (downhill), 14th (super-G), 15th (combined)
Years of Participation: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018
Top Finish: 5th – 2017 (downhill)
Other Career Highlights
2017 FIS World Cup Standings, 9th (downhill)
2016 FIS World Cup Standings, 8th (super-G), 10th (downhill)
Sources: Team USA, NBC Sports