US Ski & Snowboard names 97 athletes for the 2026 Olympics led by Vonn, Kim and Shiffrin

A large, star-driven Olympic roster

The U.S. Ski & Snowboard team has announced its 97-member squad for the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, led by Lindsey Vonn, Chloe Kim, and Mikaela Shiffrin, according to the Associated Press. The roster blends household names with a major wave of newcomers, signaling both ambition and transition for the U.S. program.

AP reported that the team includes 50 women and 47 men, with 48 first-time Olympians. The ages range from 15-year-old Abby Winterberger to 44-year-old snowboardcross rider Nick Baumgartner, illustrating an unusually wide span of experience and career stages.

Lindsey Vonn’s comeback reaches its biggest stage

One of the most compelling storylines is Vonn’s return to elite racing in her 40s after a partial knee replacement. AP reported she has won two World Cup downhill races this season, bringing her career total to 84, and that she is expected to be a favorite in speed events in Cortina.

The Olympics will test not only her speed but durability through the full Games schedule. For U.S. fans, Vonn’s presence also serves as a bridge from a previous era of dominance to a new generation still defining itself at the highest level.

Shiffrin and Kim highlight the medal ambitions

AP reported Shiffrin is aiming to bounce back after a difficult medal run in 2022 and has been strong in slalom this season with multiple wins. Kim, meanwhile, is also a centerpiece of the team as she targets another Olympic run following recent injury concerns.

With five Olympic gold medals between the three headliners, the U.S. program is leaning on proven champions even as it integrates nearly 50 athletes who have never competed at the Olympics.

Who is not going, and what that indicates

AP noted that snowboarder Jamie Anderson, a two-time Olympic slopestyle champion who returned after having two children, did not make the roster after failing to reach a podium this season. That omission underscores how competitive qualification remains and how quickly the top of the sport can evolve.

The overall squad composition suggests the U.S. expects to contend broadly across disciplines, but also that depth and development will be critical if newcomers are to convert potential into medals under Olympic pressure.

What to watch heading into Milan Cortina

• Whether Vonn sustains top downhill form through the end of the season and into the Games.
• How first-time Olympians handle Olympic venues, media attention, and the compressed competition schedule.
• Shiffrin’s form and event selection as she targets medals in technical events.
• Kim’s health and competitive readiness after injury management.

With a roster heavy on both stars and newcomers, the U.S. enters 2026 with high expectations and a clear storyline: a mix of legacy and renewal aimed at a big medal haul in Italy.