Ava Sunshine and Mikaela Shiffrin celebrate in Levi 2022: GEPA pictures
Ava Sunshine was just 20 when she shocked the ski racing world, scoring points in her first two World Cups — back-to-back slaloms in Levi, Finland, in November 2022. She finished 21st in her debut and followed it up the next day with 27th — a stunning entrance that signaled a rising American talent in technical skiing.
Then, everything changed. Two consecutive ACL injuries during training camps in New Zealand derailed her promising rise and forced her to step away from racing for two full seasons.
Now 23, Sunshine is healthy, calm, and ready to ski again. Her return to snow begins in November under the guidance of Ian Garner, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s return-to-snow specialist. From there, she will join a new training group that focuses on giant slalom and super G — a shift that reflects how her vision for the sport has evolved.
A Long Road Back
“It’s been two years of pretty much all rehab,” Sunshine said. “I got hurt skiing in New Zealand during my first return to gates after the original ACL injury, so besides those three weeks, it’s been over two years now.”
The process tested her patience and resolve. After her second ACL tear, Sunshine battled tendon pain and moments of discouragement. “It was kind of hard,” she said. “I had a lot of tendon pain throughout this second ACL, but finally, it’s turned a corner. I’m just so excited to ski. It’s been quite a while now.”
She spent most of her recovery in Utah, training at the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Center of Excellence. There, she found not only world-class facilities but also a community that supported her daily effort to rebuild.
“I literally never skipped a single day of workouts or PT,” she said. “People ask if it’s hard to stay motivated, but it’s more about working through the pain. I never considered giving up skiing — I absolutely wanted to be back.”
The Shift Toward Speed
While her injuries forced her to slow down physically, they also gave her time to reflect. That space led to a significant realization — she wanted to change direction.
“I’ve always loved super-G,” Sunshine said. “When I was watching the women race, especially seeing Lauren Macuga win, it reminded me that I’ve always wanted to ski speed. My childhood coach, Tom Becker, called and asked, ‘What do you think about doing speed?’ and I just thought, that’s exactly what I want to do.”
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team supported the decision. Sunshine now joins a new Europa Cup-level training group that bridges giant slalom and super-G, led by longtime coach Marjan Černigoj. “I’m so happy to be back with Marjan,” she said. “He was my coach my first year on the team, and he’s just amazing.”
This new path — one that connects her early GS strengths with the thrill of speed — feels right to her. “It just feels like what I should be doing,” she said.
Support and Growth
Throughout her recovery, Sunshine built strong bonds with the staff who helped her through the hardest days. She trained closely with strength coach Foreste Peterson and physical therapists Torey Anderson and Lindsay Winninger, who she credits for keeping her grounded and focused. “Foreste has been incredible — such a beacon of positivity, especially when it was really hard right after,” she said.
She also found comfort in friendships beyond the national team, connecting with both University of Utah and Westminster College skiers while living in Salt Lake City. “I was near the Utah ski-team houses and living with some Westminster athletes,” she said. “We were hanging out all the time. It was really fun — it gave me a community when I couldn’t be on the snow.”
During her two years of recovery, Sunshine completed her degree in strategic communication, balancing school with daily training and rehab. “It just feels good to have that done,” she said. “Now I can focus on skiing and not have that uncertainty about what comes next.”
A Mindset Shift
If there’s one lesson Sunshine has learned, it’s the importance of staying present. “I probably learned just how important it is to stay present,” she said. “Even though that sounds cliché, it’s definitely true. I got really into meditation, and that helped me stay calm when I had nine months of hard rehab ahead.”
Her time away also reshaped her approach to competition. “After I scored my first World Cup points, I realized that a lot of my emotions came from relief when things went well or frustration when they didn’t,” she said. “That’s just not a great space to exist in. Now I just want to ski for myself — not out of relief or fear. It’s about doing what I love.”
Sunshine acknowledges that the mental side of returning from injury can be as demanding as the physical. “My two goals are to stay healthy and trust the system,” she said. “I know when the timer comes out, I’ll want to go like crazy, but I have to be smart about it.”
Redefining Success
Success now means something deeper than results for Sunshine. “I’d be so happy to make it back to the World Cup by the end of the year,” she said. “But honestly, I just want to stay healthy and give my all at every race. As long as I know I’m doing my best and not holding back, I’ll be happy.”
She understands that her journey back will take time, but she sees strength in that patience. “It feels like a privilege to be free like that,” she said. “After two injuries, I don’t have the same pressure as before. I’m just grateful to be skiing again.”
Back to the Lifestyle She Loves
What excites Sunshine most about returning isn’t just racing — it’s everything around it. “It’s such a good lifestyle,” she said. “You go skiing in the morning, hang out with your friends in the afternoon, and you’re in Europe eating amazing food. It’s hard to beat that.”
Soon, she’ll be back in that rhythm — training in Copper Mountain before rejoining her teammates on the World Cup circuit. She’s mostly looking forward to skiing again with her close friend and teammate, Mary Bocock. “She’s my best friend in the world,” Sunshine said, smiling. “It’s going to be really fun being back with her.”
An Example for Others
When asked what she would tell another young skier facing a long recovery, Sunshine paused before answering. “Look to people who inspire you, even outside your sport,” she said. “There are so many athletes who’ve gone through big injuries and come back stronger. If you love it, you’ll still want to do it. Just stay patient.”
Her story is now one of resilience, perspective, and gratitude — the story of an athlete who found strength through stillness and rediscovered joy in the process of coming back. This November, when Ava Sunshine clicks back into her skis, it won’t just mark a return to racing. It will mark the start of a new chapter — one built on calm, courage, and belief in herself.
About the Author: Peter Lange
