Laura Peel, a leading Australian aerial skier and medal contender, has been forced to withdraw from the Milano Cortina Games due to a significant knee injury. The news comes as a considerable blow to the Australian team, impacting expectations for the women's aerials event. Peel sustained the injury during a training camp in Switzerland earlier in February, casting doubt on her participation before an official announcement confirmed her withdrawal.
The Australian team has already seen other athletes sidelined by injury, making Peel's absence a further setback. Peel, a two-time world champion, was considered one of the favourites to secure a medal for Australia in her fourth Olympic appearance. Her withdrawal follows impressive performances in recent World Cup events, including a win in Canada, which had bolstered her medal prospects.
Background of Peel's Olympic Aspirations
Laura Peel's journey to the Milano Cortina Games was marked by consistent performance and a strong desire for an Olympic medal. Despite a challenging experience in the 2022 Beijing Olympics where she crashed on a key jump in the finals, Peel had been focusing on achieving a podium finish. Her previous best Olympic result was fifth place in Beijing. This year, she was set to compete on Tuesday, with her participation uncertain after the training injury.
Details of the Injury and Withdrawal
The injury, confirmed as a ruptured ACL, occurred at a pre-Games training camp in Airolo, Switzerland. Initially, Peel held onto hope of competing, even after sustaining the injury in early February. She was transferred to Zug, Switzerland, for an MRI scan at a sports specialist clinic. Following an assessment, it became clear that recovering sufficiently to compete at the Olympic level was not feasible. The official training sessions for the competition jump site were underway when Peel made the final decision to withdraw, recognizing she was not in a condition to compete.
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Impact on the Australian Team
Peel's withdrawal is the fourth injury-related exit for the Australian contingent at these Games. She joins snowboarders Cam Bolton and Misaki Vaughan, and freeskier Daisy Thomas on the list of athletes unable to compete due to injuries sustained before or during the event. While other Australian athletes, such as Jakara Anthony in the women's dual moguls, are still competing, the loss of Peel, a top contender in her discipline, undoubtedly impacts the team's overall medal potential.
Expert Analysis and Team Response
The Australian Olympic Committee confirmed Peel's injury. The news has been met with disappointment, with Peel herself reportedly being "absolutely heartbroken" by the outcome. Reports indicate Peel had been in strong form leading up to the Games, winning a recent World Cup event. Her absence leaves a significant gap in the women's aerials competition, where she was expected to be a strong medal contender.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Laura Peel's forced withdrawal from the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics due to a ruptured ACL underscores the inherent risks and unpredictable nature of elite sports. Her history of strong performances and her status as a two-time world champion highlight the magnitude of this loss for the Australian team. While Peel will not compete, the focus now shifts to other Australian athletes participating in various disciplines, as the Games continue. The team will need to regroup and strategize in the absence of one of its prominent medal hopes.
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Sources Used:
ABC News: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-14/winter-olympics-2026-live-milano-cortina-laura-peel/106344928 - Provides an overview of Peel's withdrawal and other Australian athletes in action.
Fox Sports Australia (1): https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/winter-olympics-2026-australian-gold-medal-hope-laura-peel-withdraws-with-knee-injury-details-womens-aerials-event/news-story/4f9ef8169b8f7339bb62875e113cafe9 - Details Peel's heartbreak and her status as a medal favourite.
ESPN: https://www.espn.com/olympics/story//id/47926049/winter-olympics-injured-aussie-aerials-champion-ruled-olympics - Confirms the ACL rupture and mentions other injured Australian athletes.
Fox Sports Australia (2): https://www.foxsports.com.au/olympics/winter-olympics-2026-laura-peel-injured-days-out-from-milancortina-games-latest-on-knee-injury-to-aerial-skier/news-story/4a323adf0f860e46566c3dcbd6b4099f - Reports on the initial injury and its timing relative to the Games.
The West Australian: https://thewest.com.au/sport/winter-olympics/winter-olympics-australias-laura-peel-crashes-out-in-brutal-womens-aerials-final-c-5696984 - Provides context on Peel's performance in the previous Olympics, which was published on Feb 14, 2022, not relevant to the current 2026 event timeline. This source has been excluded as it describes past events.
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