Ryan Cochran-Siegle / Celebrating Olympic SG silver medal / GEPA pictures
With the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games fast approaching, the Stifel U.S. Ski Team has confirmed its first group of athletes who have officially met Olympic selection criteria through World Cup performance
The Olympic alpine program opens February 7, 2026, with the men’s downhill in Bormio, the first of 10 alpine races at the Games. The men will compete exclusively in Bormio, while the women race in Cortina d’Ampezzo—two venues hours apart by winter road travel, underscoring how distinct preparation and selection pathways are for each squad.
All athletes listed below have earned their nominations on objective criteria, in accordance with U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s published Olympic selection procedures
Ski Racing Media congratulates each athlete named and wishes them a great Olympic experience as the countdown continues.
Women: Depth, Dominance, and Medal Favorites
The U.S. women secure a full 11-skier Olympic quota, and additional athletes will still be named. The foundation already reflects extraordinary depth and championship pedigree.
- Mikaela Shiffrin
YOB: 1995 | Age: 30
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Club: Burke Mountain Academy
Equipment: Atomic, Oakley
Olympics: 2014, 2018, 2022
Why it matters: Five slalom wins this season; leads the slalom and overall standings. Owner of the all-time World Cup wins record (106), two Olympic gold medals (GS, SL), and eight World Championship titles. She enters Milano–Cortina as the clear slalom favorite, skiing at arguably the highest slalom level of her career. - Lindsey Vonn
YOB: 1984 | Age: 41
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Club: Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
Equipment: HEAD, Oakley
Olympics: 2006, 2010, 2018 (retired during the 2022 cycle)
Why it matters: A historic comeback backed by results—six World Cup podiums since returning, including two downhill wins. With 84 career victories (third all-time), a 2010 Olympic downhill gold, and two world titles, Vonn leads the 2026 downhill standings and sits third in super-G. She is a gold-medal favorite in downhill. - Paula Moltzan
YOB: 1994 | Age: 31
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Club: University of Vermont, Ski and Snowboard Club
Olympics: 2022
Why it matters: Seven career World Cup podiums across SL/GS/Parallel. This season: two GS podiums and four top-five slalom finishes. She ranks 6th in slalom and 7th in GS, making her a multi-event medal contender. - Nina O’Brien
YOB: 1997 | Age: 28
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Club: Burke Mountain Academy
Olympics: 2022
Why it matters: After multiple injury interruptions—including a serious crash in Beijing—her speed is back. Three top-10 GS finishes this season, nine career GS top-10s, and a career-best 9th in slalom. Ranked 14th in GS, O’Brien thrives on big-event pressure.
Depth still to come: With quota room remaining, the women’s pool includes elite speed talent such as reigning downhill champion Breezy Johnson and Jacqueline Wiles (33), who owns four career World Cup podiums and finished third at Zauchensee, the most recent women’s World Cup downhill.
Men: Precious Spots, Proven Performers
The men face a much smaller Olympic quota, making every confirmed place especially valuable as Bormio preparation intensifies.
- Ryan Cochran-Siegle
YOB: 1992 | Age: 33
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Clubs: Mt Mansfield Ski Academy; Cochran’s Ski Club
Equipment: HEAD
Olympics: 2018, 2022
Why it matters: The only U.S. alpine medalist at Beijing 2022 (super-G silver). Four career World Cup podiums and a super-G victory on the Bormio course, the Olympic venue. This season he was second in the Beaver Creek downhill and sits 7th in downhill and 17th in super-G. When confident, he’s as fast as anyone. - River Radamus
YOB: 1998 | Age: 27
Team: Stifel U.S. Ski Team
Club: Ski and Snowboard Club Vail
Olympics: 2022
Why it matters: The backbone of the U.S. men’s GS group for multiple seasons. One World Cup GS podium, 16 career top-10s (including a super-G top-10 in 2024), and four GS top-10s this season. He finished 5th at Beaver Creek and 4th at Beijing 2022 GS, just 0.26 seconds from bronze. Ranked 9th in GS and 21st in slalom, Radamus adds versatility—capable in GS and super-G, and reliable in slalom for team formats. Put two elite GS runs together and he’s a medal contender.
Emerging momentum: The men’s picture also features rising talent such as Ryder Sarchett (22), the 2024 Junior World Champion in GS (University of Colorado), who logged a 10th place in Val d’Isère this season—an indicator of depth even as quota pressure remains intense.
The Countdown Is On
With the first of 10 alpine races set for February 7, 2026, the road to Milano–Cortina has entered its final phase.
These announcements reflect earned spots, not projections. More names will follow—particularly on the women’s side—but the message is clear: results matter, and the Olympics are close.
Ski Racing Media congratulates all athletes named to date and wishes them continued success on the road to Milano–Cortina 2026.
About the Author: Peter Lange
