Key Takeaways:
- The official roster for the United States Olympic ski team includes eight skiers from Alaska or with Alaska ties.
- The Alaska skiers include Gus Schumacher, James "JC" Schoonmaker, Hunter Wonders, Zanden McMullen, Rosie Brennan, Kendall Kramer, Novie McCabe, and Hailey Swirbul.
- The 2026 Winter Olympic Games will take place in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6.
- The Alaska Pacific University (APU) team has eight skiers named to the Olympic roster.
Introduction to the Olympic Ski Team
The United States Olympic ski team has been officially announced, and it’s exciting to note that half of the team hails from Alaska. The team will be heading to Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, next month for the 25th Winter Olympic Games. Among the 16 names on the roster, eight are either from Alaska or have Alaska ties. This is a testament to the state’s strong skiing culture and the excellent training programs available in Alaska. The Alaska Pacific University (APU) team, in particular, has a strong presence on the Olympic roster, with eight skiers named to the team.
The Alaska Skiers
The men’s Alaska skier list includes Gus Schumacher from Anchorage, James "JC" Schoonmaker from Anchorage, Hunter Wonders from Anchorage, and Zanden McMullen from Anchorage. The women’s Alaska skier list includes Rosie Brennan from Anchorage, Kendall Kramer from Fairbanks, Novie McCabe from Anchorage, and Hailey Swirbul from Anchorage. All eight of these skiers train and compete with APU, which is a clear indication of the university’s strong skiing program. The team’s experience and skills will be put to the test at the Winter Olympic Games, which are set to begin on February 6.
Meet the Skiers
Gus Schumacher is a 2018 Service High School graduate and is having a record-breaking World Cup season. He won a stage of the recent Tour de Ski and placed seventh overall, the best ever result in the multi-day competition by an American man. This will be Schumacher’s second Winter Olympic Games, after competing in the 2022 games in Beijing, China. Hunter Wonders, on the other hand, is making his Olympic debut. The 27-year-old has three top-10 finishes on the World Cup circuit and is expected to perform well in Italy. Zanden McMullen is also making his Olympic debut and was ranked third in the world for men under the age of 23 at the end of the 2023-24 World Cup circuit.
Experienced Skiers
JC Schoonmaker, 25, is from Tahoe City, California, but competed for the University of Alaska Anchorage squad and the Alaska Pacific University team. This will be his second Olympics, after competing in Beijing in 2022. Rosie Brennan is among the most experienced skiers on the U.S. team in Italy, with this being her third Winter Olympic Games. She is originally from Park City, Utah, but skied for the APU team and currently lives in Anchorage. Brennan came close to winning medals in Beijing, finishing sixth in the women’s 30K freestyle race and fourth in the freestyle sprint. Novie McCabe, originally from Winthrop, Washington, also skied for the APU team and is a three-time NCAA champion. She’s also a former Olympian, having competed in Beijing in 2022.
New Faces
Kendall Kramer, 23, from Fairbanks, is making her Olympic debut. She has already amassed an impressive resume, with a U.S. national championship victory in the 20-kilometer classic distance and eight All-American titles. Hailey Swirbul, 27, from El Jebel, Colorado, is also making her second Olympic appearance, having competed in Beijing in 2022. She won a U.S. National Championship in 2020 in the women’s freestyle sprint. These new faces bring fresh energy and talent to the team, and their performances will be closely watched at the Winter Olympic Games.
Conclusion
The 2026 Winter Olympic Games are just around the corner, and the United States Olympic ski team is ready to take on the challenge. With eight skiers from Alaska or with Alaska ties, the team has a strong presence from the state. The Alaska Pacific University team has a significant representation on the Olympic roster, with eight skiers named to the team. The team’s experience, skills, and talent will be put to the test in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, and fans will be eagerly watching their performances. Will the team bring home medals? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – the 2026 Winter Olympic Games will be an exciting event to watch.
