ASPEN, Colo. (January 27, 2011) - Ski cross Olympic gold medalist Ashleigh McIvor suffered a serious knee injury on Wednesday during training for this week's Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado.

The 27-year-old, of Whistler, B.C., has a suspected torn ACL and isn't expected to return to competitive action this season. She will require surgery on her left knee at a later date.

"I've definitely seen better days, but things could be much worse," said McIvor. "I just have to keep it all in perspective. I don't have a head injury, and I don't have a spinal injury. This will heal and I'll be back. It's all part of the game."

McIvor is the first female Olympic gold medalist in ski cross, which made its debut as a medal sport at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver-Whistler. She won the 2009 world championship at Inawashiro, Japan, and has 11 career World Cup podiums, including second- and third-place finishes this season.

She was second at last year's X Games, and was hoping to claim her first X Games title this week.

"I was really excited to run the course here in Aspen," said McIvor. "It's always the biggest and burliest on the circuit. I'm so glad I got one flight in off the massive last jump before hurting myself on a smaller jump that I hadn't even thought to be scared of. I just came into this triple a little too hot and overshot it, landing way out on the flats."

Canada Ski Cross head coach Eric Archer said he's confident McIvor will make a successful comeback from injury.

"It's disappointing when one of your best athletes goes out but it's part of the sport. All the athletes understand that," said Archer. "Ashleigh will take some time off and come back stronger than ever."