Lindsey Vonn's Fifth Olympic Selection Highlights US Team's Veteran-Newcomer Mix
The United States Ski and Snowboard team for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics has been unveiled, featuring a compelling blend of legendary veterans and fresh talent. Lindsey Vonn's inclusion marks a sensational return to the Olympic stage, securing her place at a fifth Games following a remarkable comeback from retirement.
Team Composition and Veteran Leadership
US Ski & Snowboard announced on Thursday the nomination of 97 athletes to represent Team USA at the upcoming Winter Games, scheduled from 6th to 22nd February across northern Italy. The roster comprises 73 skiers and 24 snowboarders, with an official team announcement set for Monday. Nearly half of the delegation – 48 athletes – are first-time Olympians, creating an intriguing mix of experience and youthful enthusiasm.
The team's veteran core includes some of America's most decorated winter sports figures. Alongside Vonn, the roster features alpine skiing superstar Mikaela Shiffrin, two-time Olympic snowboard halfpipe champion Chloe Kim, and cross-country skiing medalist Jessie Diggins. The age range within the team spans from 15-year-old freestyle skier Abby Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner, who is preparing for his fifth Olympic appearance.
Vonn's Remarkable Comeback Journey
Lindsey Vonn's selection represents one of the most compelling narratives in modern winter sports. The 41-year-old alpine skier, who retired in 2019, made a stunning return to competition last season following a partial knee replacement. Her performance this season has been nothing short of extraordinary, reaching the podium in all five World Cup downhill races with two victories, a second place, and two third-place finishes.
Vonn's comeback has rewritten the record books, as prior to her return the oldest woman to win a World Cup race had been 34. She now enters the Cortina d'Ampezzo venue – host of the 1956 Games and site of the women's alpine events – as a genuine medal contender, adding another chapter to her illustrious career.
Other Key Athletes and Team Dynamics
Mikaela Shiffrin, the most decorated alpine skier in history, prepares for her fourth Olympic Games seeking redemption after a disappointing Beijing 2022 campaign where she failed to medal. Her current season form, particularly in slalom events, suggests she remains a formidable force.
Chloe Kim aims for a third consecutive Olympic gold in snowboard halfpipe, though concerns remain about her fitness following a recent shoulder injury sustained in training. US Ski & Snowboard officials have expressed confidence in her readiness for competition in Livigno.
The team announcement also confirmed notable absences, including two-time Olympic gold medalist Jamie Anderson, whose comeback attempt after having two children fell short during the qualification period.
Selection Process and Competitive Depth
US snowboard program director Rick Bower emphasised the intense competition for team places, stating that making the Olympic team often proves more challenging than the Games themselves. The selection process followed a results-based approach over two seasons of World Cup and international competition, with final decisions proving highly competitive across nearly every discipline.
Anouk Patty, US Ski & Snowboard's chief of sport, described this as one of the strongest teams the organisation has ever sent to the Games, citing remarkable results across all ten sports represented.
Medal Prospects and Event Distribution
Freestyle skiing emerges as a particularly strong medal prospect for the American team, with returning athletes including Jaelin Kauf (moguls silver medalist), Chris Lillis (mixed team aerials gold), and Olympic champions Alex Hall in freeski slopestyle. Snowboarding continues to be anchored by proven performers, with Red Gerard returning for his third Olympics following his teenage gold medal triumph in 2018.
The competition venues will be geographically dispersed across Italy, with men's alpine events in Bormio, women's alpine in Cortina, Nordic events in Val di Fiemme, and freestyle skiing and snowboarding in Livigno. A total of 116 medal events are scheduled across these locations.
Historical Context and Expectations
US Ski & Snowboard accounted for more than 40% of the overall US Olympic delegation at the 2022 Beijing Games and contributed 15 of the country's 25 total medals. Officials anticipate a similarly significant presence in Italy, where the Winter Games will be staged across four main clusters – Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Valtellina, and Val di Fiemme – creating what organisers describe as the most geographically far-flung Olympics in history.
US Ski & Snowboard president and chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt expressed confidence in the team's potential impact, noting that these athletes represent a substantial portion of Team USA. The formal announcement of the complete US Olympic team for Milano Cortina is scheduled for 26th January, less than two weeks before the opening ceremony in Milan.
