Heidi Kloser’s Olympic Heartbreak: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know

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An American skier’s time at the winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, was cut short last night after a terrible crash left her unable to ski. Heidi Kloser, the 21-year-old freestyle skier, was in the middle of her Moguls qualification round on Thursday evening when she crashed and injured her right knee.

Kloser reportedly asked her father in the ambulance if she was still an Olympian, to which he replied, “of course.”

Here is what you need to know about this world-renowned skier and her accident:

1. She Tore Knee Ligaments and Broke Her Femur

Getting ready to head out for our first run of qualifications today. I go first today. Super excited to be here. #Olympics #believeinUS #USA

— Heidi Kloser (@HeidiKloser) February 6, 2014

The Denver Post reported that Team USA’s doctors arrived to discover that Kloser had torn all the way through the ACL in her right knee.

Doctors also discovered that Kloser had partially torn her medial collateral ligament (MCL) in her right knee and created a small fracture in her femur, the strongest and largest bone in the body.

2. She was Ranked Number 4 in the World

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Kloser had a lot of attention on her coming into the Olympics after her incredible performance at the 2012 at the mogul’s World Cup where she placed fourth in the world. She also placed in the top 10 in the world multiple times, including a second place finish at the Austria World Cup in 2010.

3. She Still Plans on Walking at the Opening Ceremony

Heading to Opening Ceremonies! Excited that I will still get to walk! #Olympics #TeamUSA #Sochi2014 #ice pic.twitter.com/84UyT8akSa

— Heidi Kloser (@HeidiKloser) February 7, 2014

According to Heidi’s father, Mike Kloser, she still plans on walking in the Olympics opening ceremony at 11 a.m. EST on February 7.

Her father told the Denver Post that her teammates were planning on helping her walk the distance through the Olympic stadium.

4. She was Named Rookie of the Year in 2010

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According to Kloser’s official Olympic bio, she “tore” into the world of professional skiing in 2010 at the age of 17. That year she finished in the top 15 at world competitions 4 times in a row.

5. A Japanese Skier Also Sustained a Bad Knee Injury

Miki Ito being tended to after a severe knee injury in the finish area. (Getty)

Kloser was not the only casualty of the moguls qualifying round Thursday night. Japanese star Miki Ito had to be removed form the course with help after a bad landing on her final arial. Ito reportedly collapsed in the finishing box but did not go to the hospital. She has withdrawn from the event and will seek medical assistance upon her return to Japan.