Featured Image: Ryan Cochran-Siegle was named Athlete of the Year for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team in the 2026 Stifel Awards. Photo: U.S. Ski & Snowboard
Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team athletes headline annual awards recognizing excellence across U.S. Ski & Snowboard
The Stifel U.S. Ski Team’s top athletes, coaches and rising stars were recognized last Thursday as U.S. Ski & Snowboard and title partner Stifel announced the winners of the 2026 Stifel Awards.
Now in its fourth year, the Stifel Awards honor standout performances across the Stifel U.S. Ski Team, with winners selected through a vote of athletes, coaches and staff. The annual awards recognize Athlete of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, Best Comeback and Coach of the Year across the organization’s programs.
For alpine fans, the biggest names on the list were familiar ones.
Lindsey Vonn and Ryan Cochran-Siegle earned Athlete of the Year honors for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team after standout seasons that helped lead the Americans on the World Cup circuit. Vonn was also recognized with the team’s Best Comeback award, while Elisabeth Bocock and Jevin Palmquist were named Rookies of the Year.
The awards come after another successful season for the Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team, which saw veteran leaders and emerging talents contribute throughout the 2025-26 campaign.
“Stifel is proud to continue recognizing the outstanding athletes and staff of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team through the annual Stifel End of Year Awards,” said Ron Kruszewski, Chairman and CEO of Stifel. “Our ‘Where Success Meets Success’ motto continues to reflect the dedication and excellence of the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and we’re grateful for the opportunity to celebrate their achievements while continuing to grow the impact of these awards each year.”
“The winners of the Stifel Awards are incredibly deserving of this recognition for everything they accomplished throughout the 2025-26 season,” said U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport Anouk Patty. “This season was marked by outstanding performances across all of our teams and that success would not be possible without the dedication of the athletes, coaches and staff working behind the scenes every day.”
Stifel U.S. Alpine Ski Team Award Winners
- Athlete of the Year: Lindsey Vonn, Ryan Cochran-Siegle
- Rookie of the Year: Elisabeth Bocock, Jevin Palmquist
- Most Improved: Mary Bocock, Kyle Negomir
- Best Comeback: Lindsey Vonn, Erik Arvidsson
- Coach of the Year: Kip Spangler
Photo: @dustinsatloff // @usskiteam
Full 2026 Stifel Award Winners
Cross Country Ski Team
- Athlete of the Year: Jessie Diggins, Ben Ogden
- Rookie of the Year: Sammy Smith, Murphy Kimball
- Most Improved: Kendall Kramer, Zak Ketterson
- Best Comeback: Novie McCabe, Ben Ogden
- Coach of the Year: Matt Whitcomb
Freeski Team
- Athlete of the Year: Grace Henderson, Mac Forehand
- Rookie of the Year: Avery Krumme, Henry Townshend
- Most Improved: Avery Krumme, Konnor Ralph
- Best Comeback: Rell Harwood, Hunter Hess
- Coach of the Year: Ryan Wyble
Freestyle Ski Team – Aerials
- Athlete of the Year: Chris Lillis
- Rookie of the Year: Kyra Dossa
- Most Improved: Connor Curran
- Best Comeback: Winter Vinecki
- Coach of the Year: Walter Crijanovschi
Freestyle Ski Team – Moguls
- Athlete of the Year: Olivia Giaccio
- Rookie of the Year: Abby McLarnon
- Most Improved: Landon Wendler
- Best Comeback: Liz Lemley
- Coach of the Year: Bryon Wilson
Nordic Combined Team
- Athlete of the Year: Alexa Brabec, Niklas Malacinski
- Most Improved: Alexa Brabec, Niklas Malacinski
- Best Comeback: Tara Geraghty-Moats, Erik Lynch
- Coach of the Year: Emil Vilhelmsen
Para Alpine Ski Team
- Athlete of the Year: Patrick Halgren
- Rookie of the Year: Meg Gustafson
- Most Improved: Anna Soens
Ski Jumping Team
- Athlete of the Year: Annika Belshaw, Kevin Bickner
- Rookie of the Year: Josie Johnson, Jason Colby
- Most Improved: Sandra Sproch, Jason Colby
- Best Comeback: Josie Johnson, Kevin Bickner
- Coach of the Year: Karl Vegard Andersen
Source: U.S. Ski & Snowboard press release by Sierra Ryder, June 4, 2026.
About the Author: SR Staff Report
