Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy — It’s Friday, which means that the Olympics are officially underway. If you’re looking to learn more about which athletes will be competing, here’s a recap of the major skiing and snowboarding athletes who will be competing in Cortina.
USA Athletes
1. Mikaela Shiffrin: The winningest skier ever will aim for redemption after the 2022 Olympics. The three-time Olympic medalist has been dominant in Slalom this season, winning nearly every race she’s competed in. In Giant Slalom, she’s been slowly improving after suffering a gruesome injury at Killington’s GS event in 2024. It’ll be exciting to see the GOAT on the world stage again.
2. Lindsey Vonn: Vonn’s incredible comeback hit a major snag last week, as she tore her ACL in the Audi FIS World Cup race. She remains steadfast in competing, but the injury could keep her from a podium finish she was aiming for in her comeback. Can Vonn prove the doubters wrong again?
3. Chloe Kim: Chloe faced some injuries in the lead-up to the Olympics, but it sounds like she’s ready to go. She’s aiming for her third gold medal in halfpipe, with the others coming from the 2018 and 2022 Olympics.
4. Paula Moltzan: The American has slowly been accumulating podium results in the FIS World Cup circuit, with four so far this winter. She’ll have the chance to secure her first Olympic medals this year in Slalom, Giant Slalom, and Team Combined.
5. Colby Stevenson: Colby’s story is destined to become a movie, as his comeback from a major vehicle crash has resulted in an Olympic medal. Continued strong finishes in recent events, such as the X Games Big Air, make him a contender for more medals. Another American freestyle skier worth watching is Alex Hall, who won gold at the last Olympics.
6. Jessie Diggins: This will be the final ski season for the Nordic skier. She’s the most accomplished US Nordic skier ever, securing three Olympic medals and three World Cup titles. She’s at the top of her game going into Cortina, ranking first in the World Cup standings for overall, distance, and tour de ski.
7. Ryan Cochran-Siegle: The Vermonter who grew up skiing at Cochran’s is coming in hot for the Olympics. He medaled at his last FIS World Cup event and then recorded the fastest time in the downhill training session. Ryan hopes to add to his medal collection, with his first one coming at the 2022 Olympics.
International Athletes
1. Eileen Gu: Perhaps the best female freestyle skier ever is aiming to defend her two Gold medals secured at the 2022 Olympics. She’ll be competing in the Halfpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air.
2. Mikael Kingsbury: The greatest mogul skier of all time continues to rack up victories in the World Cup circuit. The Canadian’s resume is impressive: 13-time World Cup Overall Champion, 9-time World champion, 29 Crystal Globes, and three Olympic medals. He’ll eye winning more Olympic medals in several mogul events.
3. Marco Odermatt: The dominant alpine ski racer will be racing in the Giant Slalom, Downhill, and Super-G. He’s already won 53 World Cup events and secured Gold in GS at the 2022 Olympics. His continued dominance could make him one of the greatest to ever do it.
4. Scotty James: The Australian snowboarder appears to be peaking at the right time. Not only does Scotty have a new Netflix documentary out, but he also secured a Gold medal at the X-Games. He has previously secured two Olympic medals in halfpipe.
5. Federica Brignone: Federica’s got the home-field advantage in Italy in what will be her final ski season. Like Vonn, she’s also dealing with a torn ACL. However, she has had more time to recover. She’ll aim to add to the three bronze medals she secured in previous Olympics.
