LOS ANGELES, April 1, 2025– Strong performances by Lindsey Vonn and Mikaela Shiffrin at the World Cup Finals have reaffirmed their elite status and provided a major boost to Team USA’s prospects for the 2026 Winter Olympics, according to Sophie Goldschmidt, CEO of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association.
Vonn, now 40, made a remarkable return to competitive skiing after announcing her comeback in November, following a six-year retirement. She secured a second-place finish in the super-G at the World Cup Finals in Sun Valley, Idaho, marking her first podium finish since 2019.
“It was an incredible way for her to finish the season,” Goldschmidt told Reuters. “Many doubted whether she could return to top form, but she proved them wrong. She remains one of the biggest icons in women’s sports.”
Meanwhile, Shiffrin, a two-time Olympic gold medalist, capped off a challenging, injury-affected season with a dominant win in the slalom on March 27, extending her record to 101 career World Cup victories. Despite missing two months due to a crash in November, the 30-year-old secured her 64th slalom victory, further cementing her legacy.
“Mikaela continues to redefine excellence,” Goldschmidt said. “She’s the most successful alpine skier of all time, the only athlete to win in all six disciplines, and she keeps pushing the limits.”
Goldschmidt also highlighted the strength of the U.S. women’s Olympic team across multiple disciplines. She praised Jessie Diggins, the world’s top cross-country skier and the only non-Scandinavian to achieve that title—doing so three times. Additionally, snowboarders Chloe Kim and Maddie Mastro are excelling in the halfpipe.
With such a deep talent pool, the competition for spots on the U.S. team for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Games will be intense. “Unlike the World Cup, where qualifying athletes can compete freely, the Olympic team is limited to just four athletes per discipline,” Goldschmidt noted.
With Vonn’s inspiring return and Shiffrin’s continued dominance, Team USA appears poised for a strong showing in 2026.
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