Former U.S. ski team member TJ Lanning has died at the age of forty-one, the team confirmed on Tuesday, July 7. As per a report shared by Us Weekly, no cause of death has been released. The U.S. ski team broke the news via Instagram, writing,"We are deeply saddened by the passing of TJ Lanning, a former U.S. Ski Team alpine skier and coach whose impact on our sport went far beyond his years of competition. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and children during this difficult time."A Helena, Montana native, Lanning specialized in downhill, super-G and combined racing. Ski Racing Media remembered him as "one of the most promising American speed skiers of his generation." The outlet also reflected on the physical toll his career had taken."Lanning's career was defined not only by talent but also by toughness. He raced with a willingness to push the limit, and that approach made him exciting to watch. It also came with a heavy physical cost. His career included repeated injuries, including crashes that interrupted several seasons and kept him from realizing the full potential many saw in him," they shared. View this post on Instagram Instagram PostFrom U.S. downhill champion to coach, TJ Lanning's journey on and off the slopes: T.J. Lanning of US Alpine Ski Team poses for a portrait during media day on November 18, 2009 in Copper Mountain, Colorado - Source: GettyAs per the report shared by Us Weekly, one of the highlights of TJ Lanning's career came in 2008, when he became the U.S. downhill champion and qualified for the World Cup Finals in the discipline. He finished twenty-fifth overall and placed thirty-third in super-G.That achievement would prove to be near the peak of his racing life. A year later, a frightening crash during a race left Lanning with a dislocated left knee and a fractured C5 vertebra in his neck, a situation which effectively ended his time as a competitor. Unable to return to the slopes in that capacity, he transitioned into coaching and went on to assist the U.S. Ski Team.TJ Lanning and Head Coach Sasha Rearick during the pre race course inspection prior to the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup Downhill third official training session on January 24, 2013 in Kitzbuhel, Austria - Source: GettySki Racing Media paid tribute to the impact he had both as an athlete and in his later role."Lanning's life in ski racing was marked by promise, pain, persistence and impact. He brought the sport moments of genuine excitement and, later, gave back through coaching. His death at such a young age is a profound loss for the American ski racing community," they wrote. Tributes pour in for TJ Lanning from friends and the ski community:TJ Lanning glances over to the netting where he crashed during the pre race course inspection prior to the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup SuperG on January 25, 2013 in Kitzbuhel, Austria - Source: GettyFriends and fans took to the comments section of the U.S. ski team's Instagram post to share their tributes. Ski Racing Media content director Katie Twible was among those who remembered TJ Lanning fondly."I feel incredibly lucky to have known TJ through ski racing. His smile lit up every ski hill he was on, and he brought so much energy to the people around him. Today our ski community has lost someone special. My heart is with his family, his children, and everyone who loved him," wrote Twible. Former Swiss alpine ski racer Carlo Janka also shared his condolences."What a tremendous loss for the ski world. He was an incredible athlete and an even more wonderful human being. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone who knew him," added Janka.