XTERRA World Champion is Injured

Reigning XTERRA World Champion Shonny Vanlandingham landed wrong on a training run last week and tore the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her knee.

“Freak thing, just stepped wrong and it snapped.  I knew I had done some damage and sure enough the MRI revealed a 90% ACL tear,” said Vanlandingham.

 

With the injury Vanlandingham’s chances of defending her XTERRA U.S. Pro Series and World Championship titles just got a lot harder.

 

“I am working with my Doc, physical therapist and coach to try to race Ogden with a knee brace but at this time I can barely ride, and running is another week or two away if at all,” said Vanlandingham.

 

Vanlandingham is ranked second in the Pro Series, 10-points behind Melanie McQuaid, which meant if she won in Utah she’d win the Series.

 

“If I can get back to functioning I will race and do my best to get as many points as possible to stay 2nd or 3rd in the series.   Winning may be out of the question but I will keep that as my goal, have to aim high,” said Vanlandingham.

 

The champ will likely have surgery after Nationals, but said she would see how it goes in Utah before making that decision.