Full Breakdown
U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team for Milan Cortina 2026: Highlights and Notable Omissions
1/22/2026, 8:56:42 PM
Key Roster Announcements
The U.S. Ski & Snowboard team has officially announced its roster for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, featuring 97 athletes, including prominent figures such as Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin, and Chloe Kim. Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, will compete in her fifth Olympics at age 41, marking a remarkable comeback after a partial knee replacement. Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history, aims to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Beijing 2022, while Kim seeks to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals in the halfpipe.
Notable Absences
Jamie Anderson, a two-time Olympic gold medalist in snowboard slopestyle, will not be part of the team. Despite her efforts to return to competitive snowboarding after the births of her two daughters, Anderson did not qualify, finishing outside the podium during the Olympic qualification period. U.S. snowboard program director Rick Bower emphasized the competitive nature of the selection process, stating, “In many ways, making this team is even harder than the Olympics themselves.”
Team Composition and Expectations
The roster includes 73 skiers and 24 snowboarders, with athletes ranging from 15-year-old freestyle skier Abby Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross racer Nick Baumgartner. The team is expected to have a significant impact in Italy, as U.S. Ski & Snowboard president Sophie Goldschmidt expressed confidence in their potential to replicate the success of the 2022 Beijing Games, where they secured 15 of the United States' 25 medals.
Competitive Landscape
The alpine team features notable athletes such as Breezy Johnson, returning after missing the 2022 Games due to injury, and Ryan Cochran-Siegle, a silver medalist from Beijing. The freestyle skiing team is also strong, with Alex Hall defending his slopestyle title and Jaelin Kauf returning as the reigning Olympic silver medalist in moguls. The men's snowboard team will be led by Red Gerard, who won gold in slopestyle in 2018.
Official Statements & Responses
Anouk Patty, chief of sport for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, remarked on the team's strength, stating, “I know this is one of the strongest teams we have sent to the Games.” The athletes' performances over the past two years were crucial in determining the final roster, reflecting a results-based selection process.
Criticism & Opposition
While the selection process has been praised for its rigor, the omission of Jamie Anderson has drawn attention. Anderson herself noted the challenges faced by athletes returning to competitive sports after starting families, highlighting a broader conversation about support for women in sports.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In many ways, making this team is even harder than the Olympics themselves,” — Rick Bower, U.S. Snowboard Program Director
- “I am confident about the impact they will make in Italy,” — Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President and CEO
- “I know this is one of the strongest teams we have sent to the Games.” — Anouk Patty, Chief of Sport, U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22, with events spread across four main clusters in northern Italy. The U.S. Ski & Snowboard team aims to build on its past successes and deliver strong performances in the upcoming Games.
