Team USA's Winter Olympics Squad Unveiled: Vonn Leads Veteran Charge Amid New Talent
Lindsey Vonn's remarkable return to elite skiing in her forties is set to reach its pinnacle at next month's Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, as she headlines the United States Ski & Snowboard team selection announced on Thursday. The 41-year-old, who has made a stunning comeback following a partial knee replacement, will spearhead a squad brimming with both seasoned champions and fresh faces.
Star Power and Notable Absences
The 97-person roster presents a compelling mix of Olympic pedigree and youthful exuberance. Alongside Vonn, alpine skier Mikaela Shiffrin has earned her fourth Olympic team selection, while snowboarder Chloe Kim aims for a third gold medal at her third Games, despite concerns over a recent shoulder injury sustained in training. However, the comeback aspirations of two-time slopestyle snowboarding champion Jamie Anderson have been dashed, as she failed to secure a podium finish this season and will not travel to Italy.
Vonn, Kim, and Shiffrin collectively boast five Olympic gold medals, yet the team overall features a significant number of debutants, with 48 first-time Olympians among the ranks. This blend of experience and novelty creates an intriguing dynamic for the American contingent.
Demographics and Medal Expectations
The squad comprises 50 women and 47 men, with ages spanning from 15-year-old halfpipe freestyle skier Abby Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner, who will compete in his fifth Olympics as a defending champion in the mixed event. This group is poised to form nearly half of the entire US delegation to Milan Cortina, having contributed 15 of the nation's 25 medals at the Beijing Games four years ago.
U.S. Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt expressed confidence in the team's potential, stating: "I am confident about the impact they will make in Italy. More than the results, our athletes are also bringing some of the most captivating story lines to Milano Cortina."
Key Athletes and Their Journeys
Lindsey Vonn has swiftly regained the formidable form that previously earned her four overall World Cup titles, securing two World Cup downhill victories this season to bring her career total to 84. She enters as a strong favourite in both speed events in Cortina, with potential to partner with Mikaela Shiffrin in the Olympic debut of the team combined event. Shiffrin herself seeks redemption after failing to medal in Beijing, having previously won slalom gold at Sochi 2014 and giant slalom gold four years later in South Korea.
In snowboarding, Red Gerard returns for his third Games following his famous slopestyle gold at age 17 in 2018. He is joined by another 17-year-old prodigy, Ollie Martin, known for landing a pair of 2160-degree spins in opposite directions. The halfpipe discipline enters a new era post-Shaun White, featuring underdogs Chase Josey and Jake Pates.
Freeskiing and Moguls Prospects
Freeskiing sees Nick Goepper transition to the halfpipe for his fourth Olympics, alongside Alex Ferreira, who holds silver and bronze in the discipline. Notable absences include two-time gold medallist David Wise and big air silver medallist Colby Stevenson, both missing selection after failing to podium during qualifying. In moguls and aerials, Jaelin Kauf enters as reigning Olympic silver medallist, while Chris Lillis aims to build on the mixed team aerials gold won in China four years ago.
Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins will compete in her fourth and final Olympics before retiring, while alpine skier Breezy Johnson makes a comeback after tearing her right knee a month before the 2022 Beijing Games.
Anouk Patty, chief of sport for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, concluded: "Throughout this season, we've seen quite remarkable results from our athletes across all 10 of our sports. I know this is one of the strongest teams we have sent to the Games." The stage is now set for an exhilarating American campaign in Italy.
