Four athletes from Oregon have earned spots on the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, set to begin on February 6. Among them is Bend resident Hunter Hess, who has been named to the 97-person roster as a competitor in freeskiing halfpipe.
Hess, 27, secured his Olympic position on January 10 during a World Cup event in Aspen, Colorado, where he finished second, marking his third podium appearance of the season. As he prepares for his Olympic debut, Hess is currently ranked as the second-highest athlete in the men’s freeski halfpipe World Cup standings. The competition will take place on February 19-20 in Livigno, Italy.
Joining Hess on the U.S. team is Jacqueline Wiles from Portland, who will participate in the downhill competition for the third time at the Olympics. Wiles, 33, clinched her Olympic spot by finishing third in a World Cup race in Austria on January 10. She previously placed 21st in downhill at the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing.
The U.S. Olympic Snowboard team also features two athletes from Oregon: 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri, competing in halfpipe, and 25-year-old Sean FitzSimons, who will showcase his skills in slopestyle.
Star Athletes and New Faces
The upcoming Olympics will see the return of notable athletes such as Lindsey Vonn, who has made headlines with her comeback at the age of 41. Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, is expected to be a strong contender in the speed events after winning two World Cup downhill races this season, bringing her career total to 84.
Additionally, Mikaela Shiffrin has secured her spot for a fourth Olympic appearance and aims to bounce back after a challenging performance in 2022. Shiffrin, who won gold in slalom at the 2014 Sochi Games and giant slalom in 2018, has shown impressive form this season, winning six slalom races.
The 2026 Olympic roster includes 50 women and 47 men, with ages ranging from 15 to 44. Notably, there are 48 first-time Olympians, showcasing a blend of experience and fresh talent. Anouk Patty, the chief of sport for U.S. Ski & Snowboard, expressed confidence in the team’s potential, stating, “Throughout this season, we’ve seen quite remarkable results from our athletes across all 10 of our sports.”
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
The lead-up to the Olympics has been marked by challenges for some athletes. Breezy Johnson, who was forced to withdraw from the 2022 Games due to a knee injury, is making her way back after a difficult recovery.
As the team prepares for competition in Italy, the absence of veteran snowboarder Jamie Anderson, a two-time gold medalist in slopestyle, highlights the unpredictable nature of elite sports. Anderson failed to secure a podium finish this season and will not be joining the team.
The U.S. Ski and Snowboard team aims to build on the success of the previous Winter Games, where they brought home 15 of the United States’ 25 medals. Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of U.S. Ski & Snowboard, expressed optimism about the upcoming Olympics, emphasizing the captivating stories that the athletes will bring to Milan Cortina.
With a diverse roster and a mix of seasoned competitors and promising newcomers, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard team is poised to make an impact at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The official announcement of the full Olympic team is expected on January 26, 2026.
