The countdown to the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan-Cortina, Italy, is in full swing, and the world’s attention is riveted on the remarkable women athletes preparing to make history on snow and ice. This Olympic cycle is bursting with compelling stories—of comebacks, firsts, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. The drama isn’t limited to the slopes or rinks, either; it’s unfolding right now at Olympic qualifying events like the Eberspacher Luge World Cup in Utah, where athletes from around the globe are battling for coveted spots on sport’s grandest stage.
Let’s start with the living legend herself: Lindsey Vonn. Against all odds, Vonn has returned to competitive skiing after six years of retirement and major knee surgery. At 41, she’s not only training for her fifth Olympic appearance but has already stunned the world by capturing a World Cup downhill win—her first since 2018—making her the oldest skier ever to claim such a victory. With three Olympic medals and an astonishing 83 World Cup wins, Vonn’s legacy was already secure, but her comeback is rewriting the narrative of what’s possible in elite sport. Her participation in Milan-Cortina is more than a chase for medals; it’s a testament to perseverance and the defiance of age barriers.
While Vonn’s story is about legacy, Mikaela Shiffrin is crafting her own legend in real time. Leading the World Cup standings in slalom and giant slalom as of December 12, 2025, Shiffrin now holds a staggering 104 World Cup victories—more than any other alpine skier in history. Her technical mastery and versatility make her a favorite not just in one event, but across the board. Shiffrin’s sustained dominance keeps her at the heart of the American winter sports narrative, and fans worldwide are eager to see if she can add to her already glittering Olympic resume in Milan-Cortina.
Snowboarding fans have their eyes glued to Chloe Kim, who’s aiming for an unprecedented third consecutive Olympic gold in women’s halfpipe. Kim burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old in PyeongChang, dazzling with her technical prowess and then repeated her gold-medal feat in Beijing. After taking a break to focus on her mental health and education, Kim returned stronger than ever, consistently topping world championship podiums. Now, she stands on the brink of making history as the first snowboarder—man or woman—to win three straight Olympic golds in the halfpipe. Talk about raising the bar!
On the ice, Marie-Philip Poulin’s reputation precedes her. The Canadian captain, famously dubbed "Captain Clutch," has scored game-winning goals in multiple Olympic gold-medal games. As she leads her team into Milan-Cortina, Poulin’s leadership and scoring ability provide Canada with a crucial edge in a sport that’s more competitive than ever. The rivalry between Canada and the United States in women’s hockey is legendary, and Poulin is right at the center of the drama.
Speaking of American hockey, Hilary Knight is set to play a pivotal role in what could be her final Olympics. With multiple medals to her name, Knight’s offensive firepower and mentorship are invaluable to Team USA. Meanwhile, Kendall Coyne Schofield—renowned for her blazing speed and dynamic play—remains a game-changer, and her veteran presence could be the X-factor for the Americans in Milan-Cortina.
Figure skating fans are watching Kaori Sakamoto with bated breath. The Japanese star has achieved a feat not seen since 1968: three consecutive World Figure Skating Championship titles. Sakamoto’s blend of technical brilliance and artistic flair makes her a top contender for gold, and her performances have become cultural touchstones, inspiring young skaters worldwide. The Milan-Cortina Games could be the crowning moment of her illustrious career.
The bobsled track will see two of the sport’s most decorated athletes—Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor—competing for more Olympic hardware. Both in their 40s, Humphries and Meyers Taylor have not only racked up medals (Humphries with three Olympic golds and Meyers Taylor with five Olympic medals) but have also become role models for longevity and leadership in sliding sports. Their duel at Milan-Cortina promises to be one for the ages.
Sliding sports are also making headlines at the Eberspacher Luge World Cup in Utah. Around 120 athletes from 24 countries are battling for one of 106 Olympic spots for Milan-Cortina, with competition fierce due to the debut of women’s doubles luge at the Games. According to Gordy Sheer of USA Luge, "We were awarded women's doubles, but the field size stayed the same. So it makes qualifying for all disciplines harder." The relay event, where teams send down a single woman, single man, women’s doubles, and men’s doubles in rapid succession, is a crowd favorite. Sheer notes, "You may see that they're in the lead, and then they lose it, and then another slide comes back and gains it. Then you also have athletes who have very quick reaction times." The German team remains a traditional powerhouse, but Austria is particularly strong this season, and with home-ice advantage, American athletes like Ashley Farquharson, Emma Erickson, and Matt Greiner are ones to watch.
In skeleton, Mystique Ro has emerged as a dark-horse contender. Transitioning from collegiate track and field, Ro quickly climbed the ranks, winning a World Championship silver and becoming the first American in years to win a World Cup skeleton race. Her story is one of grit and adaptability, racing headfirst at over 80 mph and showing that new talent can shake up even the most established winter sports.
Long-track speed skating will see Erin Jackson return as a major medal threat. Jackson made history as the first Black American woman to win individual Olympic gold in the sport, and her presence in Milan-Cortina is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes from diverse backgrounds. Her fierce athleticism and commitment to expanding the sport’s reach make her one of the most compelling figures of these Games.
And then there’s Ester Ledecká, the dual-sport marvel who shocked the world in 2018 by winning gold in both alpine skiing and snowboarding. While her participation in 2026 remains uncertain, her legacy as a multi-discipline champion has already redefined Olympic possibilities.
With seasoned legends, rising stars, and boundary-breakers all converging in Milan-Cortina, the 2026 Winter Olympics promise unforgettable moments. Whether it’s Vonn’s historic comeback, Shiffrin’s pursuit of further glory, Kim’s quest for snowboarding immortality, or the tactical brilliance of Poulin and Knight on the ice, these women are poised to inspire the world. As the qualifying battles rage on and the final rosters take shape, fans everywhere are counting down the days—ready for the next chapter in the thrilling saga of women’s winter sports.
