Athletes

Two American ski racers, Maxi Høder and Bradshaw Underhill, are proving there’s no single path to success in modern ski racing. From early development to college and beyond, their contrasting journeys highlight a deeper question in the sport: what happens after talent is identified?

Canada sent one male athlete to the 2026 FIS Alpine Junior World Championships and had no male representation in Olympic technical events. These moments raise broader questions about the depth of Canada’s men’s alpine skiing pipeline and the future of athlete development.

Estelle Alphand grew up in France but chose to represent Sweden, her mother’s homeland. The Olympian reflects on identity, pressure, and embracing an underdog mindset on the world stage.

After a difficult stretch leading into the Olympic Winter Games, Mina Fürst Holtmann reset her mindset and went back to basics. On the slopes of Cortina d’Ampezzo, she delivered her strongest performance of the season, finishing just 0.12 seconds from a medal. Her message was simple: normal is enough.

Marion Chevrier didn’t rise through hype — she built her way to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games season by season. Still labeled an outsider, the French alpine skier has quietly developed the trust, conviction, and clarity needed to fight at the front. Built from reflection, repetition, and belief, her climb is far from over.

The women’s Nor-Am tech circuit delivered five high-level races in Québec from February 9–13, featuring stacked international fields, World Cup-caliber athletes, and breakout performances from rising North American talent at Owl’s Head and Bromont.

Four generations deep in ski racing, Andreas Žampa is carrying forward a family legacy built on commitment, precision, and resilience. Beyond the World Cup stage, the Slovak standout is investing in the next generation through the growing Žampa Cup initiative.

Lindsey Vonn’s Olympic journey did not end with a fairytale finish, but with a powerful reminder of what it means to dare greatly. After a crash that resulted in a complex tibia fracture, Vonn reframed the moment not as failure, but as the cost of chasing gold in a sport where risk is inseparable from greatness.

On Sugarloaf’s Narrow Gauge trail, Carrabassett Valley Academy athletes learn lessons that last a lifetime. For Sam Morse ’13, those early mornings, high speeds, and hard-earned habits formed the foundation that carried a local Maine skier from CVA to the 2026 Olympic Games.

University of Denver skier Sara Rask was named the 2025 Sportswomen of Colorado award winner for skiing after a dominant season that included NCAA slalom and giant slalom titles, multiple collegiate victories, and continued excellence both on the slopes and in the classroom.

From frozen Latvian fields to World Cup slalom start gates, Dženifera “Jenny” Ğērmane’s rise has been anything but easy. Shaped by family sacrifice, repeated injuries, and a leap of faith that saved her career, the 22-year-old Latvian is now a consistent World Cup point scorer—and quietly moving into the Olympic conversation.

Noa Szőllős made history as the first Israeli woman to score World Cup points in alpine skiing. At just 21, the slalom specialist is proving she belongs on the world stage, combining mental resilience, technical skill, and growing confidence as she eyes the Olympics and more Europa Cup and World Cup success.

Aleksander Aamodt Kilde explains why patience and preparation come before racing as he skips Wengen during his comeback season and focuses on repetition and training over emotion.

Cassidy Gray is stepping into a breakthrough season, building confidence in both giant slalom and speed disciplines. With GS as her foundation and growing comfort in Super-G and downhill, she’s ready to take on Copper and Tremblant — and the energy of a home crowd.

Bryce’s journey from Tahoe ski hills to the World Cup blends grit, humor, and perspective. As a father, he balances racing with family life, mentorship, and personal growth, showing that true performance isn’t just about speed—it’s about focus, resilience, and appreciating the journey on and off the hill.

Atomic Media Day brought together some of the biggest names in ski racing — including Mikaela Shiffrin, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen, and Sofia Goggia — for a celebration of passion, performance, and purpose. From mental resilience to Olympic dreams, the Redster team shared powerful stories ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

The World Cup Dreams Foundation has awarded $330,000 in grants to 78 athletes and two professional cross-country teams for the 2025/26 season. Supporting skiers from the U16 level through the World Cup, WCDF continues its mission to remove financial barriers and help U.S. athletes pursue their dreams on the world stage.

Swiss World Champion Franjo von Allmen admits he’d have liked a longer summer, but after standout training in Chile and Zermatt, the 24-year-old is ready to launch his Olympic season with confidence and speed.