Tag: oly2026

American mom fulfills 20-year promise at Milan Cortina Olympics

[ad_1]

Christine McCarthy returned to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics, fulfilling a promise she made to herself 20 years ago at the Torino Games to bring her family to experience the event.”I was at the Olympics in 2006 pre them. Pre him, and from the day I did it, I said when I have a family, they’re coming with me to do this experience,” McCarthy said.Twenty years after attending the 2006 Torino Olympics with friends, McCarthy is back in Italy, this time with her family.”It’s a vibe, it’s amazing,” said Peter McCarthy, Christine’s husband.Peter McCarthy shared that the family has been warmly welcomed, saying, “We’re walking down the street and had someone buy us drinks. We’ve met several athletes already.”Their son, Collin McCarthy, 10, added, “We met the Canadian bobsledding team, the Curling team for Italy.”The McCarthy family is reliving the experiences Christine had years ago, with their son Declan McCarthy, 12, noting the camaraderie and excitement. “All the people are like hey I’ll take a photo with you. Everyone is partying in the streets, and everybody is rooting for the countries. I feel like it’s such a great thing,” he said.Peter McCarthy described the atmosphere as “an amazing place where people come together, and everyone is rooting for their country, but all the countries and the athletes.”Declan McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I still think this is the coolest trip I’ve ever been on in my life.”Christine McCarthy reflected on the experience, saying, “Better, even better because I get to see it through their eyes.”The McCarthy boys are now officially hooked on the Olympics, and they’re already talking about a family trip to the Summer Games in Los Angeles. The McCarthy family traveled all over northern Italy for the Games.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Veneto —

Christine McCarthy returned to Italy for the Milan Cortina Olympics, fulfilling a promise she made to herself 20 years ago at the Torino Games to bring her family to experience the event.

“I was at the Olympics in 2006 pre them. Pre him, and from the day I did it, I said when I have a family, they’re coming with me to do this experience,” McCarthy said.

Twenty years after attending the 2006 Torino Olympics with friends, McCarthy is back in Italy, this time with her family.

“It’s a vibe, it’s amazing,” said Peter McCarthy, Christine’s husband.

Peter McCarthy shared that the family has been warmly welcomed, saying, “We’re walking down the street and had someone buy us drinks. We’ve met several athletes already.”

Their son, Collin McCarthy, 10, added, “We met the Canadian bobsledding team, the Curling team for Italy.”

The McCarthy family is reliving the experiences Christine had years ago, with their son Declan McCarthy, 12, noting the camaraderie and excitement. “All the people are like hey I’ll take a photo with you. Everyone is partying in the streets, and everybody is rooting for the countries. I feel like it’s such a great thing,” he said.

Peter McCarthy described the atmosphere as “an amazing place where people come together, and everyone is rooting for their country, but all the countries and the athletes.”

Declan McCarthy expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “I still think this is the coolest trip I’ve ever been on in my life.”

Christine McCarthy reflected on the experience, saying, “Better, even better because I get to see it through their eyes.”

The McCarthy boys are now officially hooked on the Olympics, and they’re already talking about a family trip to the Summer Games in Los Angeles. The McCarthy family traveled all over northern Italy for the Games.

[ad_2]

Source link

February 22, 2026
Figure skater Alysa Liu retired for two years: How the time away helped her skating

[ad_1]

Whoever said “quitters never win,” never met Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu. Liu’s figure skating comeback has been remarkable: The 20-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in the Milan Cortina Games and a 2025 world figure skating champ.Her free skate on Olympic ice on Thursday clinched the 20-year-old the gold, marking the first time a U.S. woman won an individual figure skating gold since 2002.”My family is out there. My friends are out there. I had to put on a show for them,” Liu told the Associated Press afterward. “When I see other people out there smiling, because I see them in the audience, then I have to smile, too. I have no poker face.”She sat in third place after the short program and is the top American in those standings. The approach she took was one with no pressure on herself.”I’m OK if I do a fail program. I’m totally OK if I do a great program,” she said after the short program, according to the Associated Press. “No matter what the outcome is, it’s still my story.”Looking at her career and why she leftLiu became the youngest U.S. figure skating champ at 13. She’s the first female figure skater to land a quadruple jump in international competition.But at age 16, she announced her retirement from figure skating. Liu said she hated skating by that point and had been planning her exit for a year before she did it. Liu had skated since the age of 5. Skating can be a solitary and controlled sport. She craved teen normalcy, time with friends and freedom. She put her skates in the closet and said she didn’t miss the ice at all. “I left the sport completely,” Liu said. “Like I wouldn’t step in the rink. Honestly, I was low-key traumatized.”Liu spent the next two years making up for lost time. She spent time with her siblings in Oakland, California. She’s the oldest of five kids. She hung out with high school friends, graduated and traveled the world, including hiking in the Himalayas. She enrolled at UCLA and picked up a new sport: skiing. Skiing reminded her of skating because of the sensation of the cold air on her skin. One day, she ventured into a rink with a friend. And, she didn’t hate it. In fact, she enjoyed it. Making a comeback She started skating again for fun and then floated the idea of coming out of retirement to her longtime coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo. “I said, ‘Please don’t.’ I really did. I said, ‘Please don’t. Respect your legacy as an Olympic bronze medalist,’” DiGuglielmo said.DiGuglielmo had coached Liu since she was 5. “We had a Zoom call for two hours,” DiGuglielmo said. “The story is, I had a lot of glasses of wine over those two hours. And she talked me into a comeback.”Liu and DiGuglielmo resumed training for just seven months, and she won the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships. DiGuglielmo said no one has taken a two-year break from skating and pulled off such a feat. “It makes me think if I was one of those athletes, I’d be like, ‘Why did I just skate for the last year? I could have taken a vacation for two years. But that’s Alysa. She’s different,” DiGuglielmo said. Liu pointed out that she left her sport while still in puberty. At 20, she’s physically and mentally stronger. And, she’s competing on her own terms, taking an active role in choreography, competition and training. “I have a perspective not many of the athletes in the sport have,” Liu said. “So many people, their goal is the Olympics, and when they get there, and it’s over, they don’t know what to do. I’m really just doing this for fun.”PHNjcmlwdCB0eXBlPSJ0ZXh0L2phdmFzY3JpcHQiPiFmdW5jdGlvbigpeyJ1c2Ugc3RyaWN0Ijt3aW5kb3cuYWRkRXZlbnRMaXN0ZW5lcigibWVzc2FnZSIsKGZ1bmN0aW9uKGUpe2lmKHZvaWQgMCE9PWUuZGF0YVsiZGF0YXdyYXBwZXItaGVpZ2h0Il0pe3ZhciB0PWRvY3VtZW50LnF1ZXJ5U2VsZWN0b3JBbGwoImlmcmFtZSIpO2Zvcih2YXIgYSBpbiBlLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdKWZvcih2YXIgcj0wO3I8dC5sZW5ndGg7cisrKXtpZih0W3JdLmNvbnRlbnRXaW5kb3c9PT1lLnNvdXJjZSl0W3JdLnN0eWxlLmhlaWdodD1lLmRhdGFbImRhdGF3cmFwcGVyLWhlaWdodCJdW2FdKyJweCJ9fX0pKX0oKTs8L3NjcmlwdD4=

Whoever said “quitters never win,” never met Olympic figure skater Alysa Liu.

Liu’s figure skating comeback has been remarkable: The 20-year-old is a 2025 world figure skating champ and an two-time Olympic gold medalist in the Milan Cortina Games.

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
Alysa Liu of Team United States competes in the Women’s Single Skating – Short Program on Feb. 6, 2026.

Her free skate on Olympic ice on Thursday clinched the 20-year-old the gold, marking the first time a U.S. woman won an individual figure skating gold since 2002.

“My family is out there. My friends are out there. I had to put on a show for them,” Liu told the Associated Press afterward. “When I see other people out there smiling, because I see them in the audience, then I have to smile, too. I have no poker face.”

She sat in third place after the short program and is the top American in those standings. The approach she took was one with no pressure on herself.

“I’m OK if I do a fail program. I’m totally OK if I do a great program,” she said after the short program, according to the Associated Press. “No matter what the outcome is, it’s still my story.”

Looking at her career and why she left

Liu became the youngest U.S. figure skating champ at 13. She’s the first female figure skater to land a quadruple jump in international competition.

But at age 16, she announced her retirement from figure skating. Liu said she hated skating by that point and had been planning her exit for a year before she did it.

Liu had skated since the age of 5. Skating can be a solitary and controlled sport. She craved teen normalcy, time with friends and freedom. She put her skates in the closet and said she didn’t miss the ice at all.

“I left the sport completely,” Liu said. “Like I wouldn’t step in the rink. Honestly, I was low-key traumatized.”

Liu spent the next two years making up for lost time. She spent time with her siblings in Oakland, California. She’s the oldest of five kids. She hung out with high school friends, graduated and traveled the world, including hiking in the Himalayas. She enrolled at UCLA and picked up a new sport: skiing.

Skiing reminded her of skating because of the sensation of the cold air on her skin. One day, she ventured into a rink with a friend. And, she didn’t hate it. In fact, she enjoyed it.

Making a comeback

She started skating again for fun and then floated the idea of coming out of retirement to her longtime coach, Phillip DiGuglielmo.

“I said, ‘Please don’t.’ I really did. I said, ‘Please don’t. Respect your legacy as an Olympic bronze medalist,’” DiGuglielmo said.

DiGuglielmo had coached Liu since she was 5.

“We had a Zoom call for two hours,” DiGuglielmo said. “The story is, I had a lot of glasses of wine over those two hours. And she talked me into a comeback.”

WANG Zhao / AFP via Getty Images
Alysa Liu reacts after competing in the figure skating women’s single free skating final during the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 19, 2026.

Liu and DiGuglielmo resumed training for just seven months, and she won the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships. DiGuglielmo said no one has taken a two-year break from skating and pulled off such a feat.

“It makes me think if I was one of those athletes, I’d be like, ‘Why did I just skate for the last year? I could have taken a vacation for two years. But that’s Alysa. She’s different,” DiGuglielmo said.

Andy Cheung/Getty Images
Gold medalist Alyssa Liu of Team United States celebrates after the medal ceremony for the Team Event on day two of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 8, 2026, in Milan, Italy.

Liu pointed out that she left her sport while still in puberty. At 20, she’s physically and mentally stronger. And, she’s competing on her own terms, taking an active role in choreography, competition and training.

“I have a perspective not many of the athletes in the sport have,” Liu said. “So many people, their goal is the Olympics, and when they get there, and it’s over, they don’t know what to do. I’m really just doing this for fun.”

[ad_2]

Source link

February 20, 2026
Jaelin Kauf, Elizabeth Lamley make Olympic podium in wild debut of dual moguls

[ad_1]

Jalen Gough was born on the slopes. The oldest child of professional mogul skiers, her mother Patty is *** 3-time X Games champion. One of the first Americans to qualify for the games in Italy, Jalen is one of the favorites to win gold. But before we talk about her skiing, let’s talk about her dancing. Last year, Cough and her US mogul’s teammates went viral after performing the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader’s famed thunderstruck routine. Impressed by her moves in ski boots, America’s sweethearts invited her to dance with them pregame last fall. I was very nervous. I was like shaking, meeting the cowgirls and dancing with them. Um, I mean, I feel like the nervous competing is, you know, you get the jitters, but like. I know that run. I know how to ski it. I’m nervous to like dance with professional dancers is like I don’t know how to dance. This is like not so out of my comfort zone, but um it was really cool to be able to do that. Something else that’s. Last March, she won the Mogul’s World Championship, conquering the course in Lavino, where she’ll be skiing during the Olympics. Like I feel really great with where my skiing is at right now. Prepared, focused, and ready to earn her first Olympic gold. And to indulge *** bit on some of the food at the games. I’m going to be eating *** lot of pizza and pasta the whole time. I could never get sick of either of those foods. So Kough’s longtime boyfriend Bradley Wilson is also *** mogul skier, *** three-time Olympian. He retired from the sport after the 2022 games in Beijing. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Fletcher Mackle.

Jaelin Kauf and Elizabeth Lamley make Olympic podium in wild debut of dual moguls

Updated: 8:18 AM EST Feb 14, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Jakara Anthony brought another freestyle-skiing gold medal to Australia on Saturday, winning in the Winter Olympics debut of dual moguls, the wilder and more unpredictable cousin of moguls skiing that has been in the Games for decades.Related video above: Born on the slopes, moguls skier Jaelin Kauf discusses Milan Cortina OlympicsAnthony skied cleanly through all five of the single-elimination races to win a gold that goes alongside the title won by Cooper Woods in an upset in the regular men’s moguls earlier this week. The 27-year-old Anthony, from Queensland, also won gold in the individual moguls four years ago at the Beijing Games.Skiing through a heavy snowstorm, the true spirit of this sport was better spelled out by American Jaelin Kauf, who captured her third Olympic silver medal and second of these Games, and her teammate, Elizabeth Lamley, who added bronze to go with the gold she won earlier in the week.They each won their second medals in four days despite falling in their semifinal rounds.Kauf’s tumble against Canada’s Perrine Laffont came after Laffont herself had crashed and skied off the course, meaning the American only had to get up, dust herself off and make it to the bottom of the hill.Lemley also fell and did not finish in the semifinal against Anthony but advanced to the bronze-medal race.There, she actually lost the race — a full 0.99 seconds behind Laffont. But because these runs are judged, and time counts for only 20% of the score, with jumps and precision through the moguls counting for the rest, Lamley edged out the Canadian for third.

LIVIGNO, Italy —

Jakara Anthony brought another freestyle-skiing gold medal to Australia on Saturday, winning in the Winter Olympics debut of dual moguls, the wilder and more unpredictable cousin of moguls skiing that has been in the Games for decades.

Related video above: Born on the slopes, moguls skier Jaelin Kauf discusses Milan Cortina Olympics

Anthony skied cleanly through all five of the single-elimination races to win a gold that goes alongside the title won by Cooper Woods in an upset in the regular men’s moguls earlier this week. The 27-year-old Anthony, from Queensland, also won gold in the individual moguls four years ago at the Beijing Games.

Skiing through a heavy snowstorm, the true spirit of this sport was better spelled out by American Jaelin Kauf, who captured her third Olympic silver medal and second of these Games, and her teammate, Elizabeth Lamley, who added bronze to go with the gold she won earlier in the week.

They each won their second medals in four days despite falling in their semifinal rounds.

Kauf’s tumble against Canada’s Perrine Laffont came after Laffont herself had crashed and skied off the course, meaning the American only had to get up, dust herself off and make it to the bottom of the hill.

Lemley also fell and did not finish in the semifinal against Anthony but advanced to the bronze-medal race.

There, she actually lost the race — a full 0.99 seconds behind Laffont. But because these runs are judged, and time counts for only 20% of the score, with jumps and precision through the moguls counting for the rest, Lamley edged out the Canadian for third.

[ad_2]

Source link

February 14, 2026
Athletes and fashion collide at Milan Cortina Olympics Opening Ceremony

[ad_1]

The Olympics are so spread out in Italy that the parade of nations is actually going to take place from 4 different locations. No matter where athletes walk, they will be strutting in style. Walking into an Olympic press conference is one thing, but the Stroll Team USA’s aerialists will take tonight in the opening ceremony may feel more like *** catwalk. We’re going to look awesome. We definitely have the best outfits in my opinion. It’s the 10th Olympics. Ralph Lauren has designed the opening and closing kits for Team USA. Think tailored with *** winter white wool coat with throwback wooden toggles. Co-flag bearer Aaron Jackson will stand out in navy. The opening ceremony is very formal, and we, I think we all look very dapper. It’s Milan, so of course there was an Olympic fashion showcase. Team New Zealand’s all black look has. *** hidden QR code that takes athletes to messages of support from fellow Kiwis. Look down under Team Australia’s code and you’ll find some history. Athletes can read the Olympic oath and the name of every single Aussie who’s ever competed at *** Winter Olympics. Mongolia may only have 3 athletes on its team, but their opening ceremony outfit of the day may steal gold. I know Mongolia’s got some cool outfits for the ceremonies, and other countries also do, but I mean ours are pretty cool too. As for the Italians, well, no surprise they’re wearing Armani at the Milan Cortina Olympics. I’m Deirdre Fitzpatrick. OK, OK. Now we’ll do.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan featured athletes from 93 countries showcasing stylish outfits, with Team USA’s aerialists expressing excitement about their attire.”We’re going to look awesome. We definitely have the best outfits, in my opinion,” said Connor Curran from Team USA aerials.This marks the 10th Olympics where Ralph Lauren has designed the opening and closing kits for Team USA, featuring tailored winter white wool coats with throwback wooden toggles.Co-flag bearer Erin Jackson will stand out in navy.”The opening ceremony is very formal, and I think we all look very dapper,” said Quinn Dehlinger from Team USA aerials.Milan hosted an Olympic fashion showcase, highlighting Team New Zealand’s all-black look with a hidden QR code that connects athletes to messages of support from fellow Kiwis. Team Australia’s coat includes the Olympic oath and the names of every Aussie who has competed at a Winter Olympics. Mongolia, with only three athletes, may steal the spotlight with their standout outfits.”I know Mongolia has got some cool outfits for the ceremonies and other countries do, but ours are pretty cool too,” Curran said.The Italian team wore Armani at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

MILAN, Italy —

The Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan featured athletes from 93 countries showcasing stylish outfits, with Team USA’s aerialists expressing excitement about their attire.

“We’re going to look awesome. We definitely have the best outfits, in my opinion,” said Connor Curran from Team USA aerials.

This marks the 10th Olympics where Ralph Lauren has designed the opening and closing kits for Team USA, featuring tailored winter white wool coats with throwback wooden toggles.

Co-flag bearer Erin Jackson will stand out in navy.

“The opening ceremony is very formal, and I think we all look very dapper,” said Quinn Dehlinger from Team USA aerials.

Milan hosted an Olympic fashion showcase, highlighting Team New Zealand’s all-black look with a hidden QR code that connects athletes to messages of support from fellow Kiwis. Team Australia’s coat includes the Olympic oath and the names of every Aussie who has competed at a Winter Olympics. Mongolia, with only three athletes, may steal the spotlight with their standout outfits.

“I know Mongolia has got some cool outfits for the ceremonies and other countries do, but ours are pretty cool too,” Curran said.

The Italian team wore Armani at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.

Polo Ralph Lauren Olympics Merch 2026

Women’s Team USA Full-Zip Jacket

Women’s Team USA Signature Graphic Sweatpants

Men’s Polo Bear Sweatshirt

[ad_2]

Source link

February 7, 2026
Freestyle skier Quinn Dehlinger’s Olympic dream takes flight

[ad_1]

Freestyle skier Quinn Dehlinger punched his Olympic ticket eight months before most of his fellow 2026 Olympians. Dehlinger found out last June that he’d earned a spot in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. It was a huge relief after he barely missed out on making the 2022 Beijing Team. It was a game-changer, mentally, heading into World Cup races this season.”Going into the competitions this year, if I got sick or had a minor injury, it lifted a little of the weight off the shoulders,” Dehlinger said. Dehlinger lives in Park City, Utah, where aerial skiers train year-round at the Utah Olympic Park. But he grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, skiing at Perfect North Slopes.It’s a far cry from the mountains out west. But it’s become a pipeline for aerial athletes. In fact, four skiers on the national team are from the Cincinnati area.Top aerial skiers spend their summers in Park City training at the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. The pool is aerated. Skiers go off plastic jumps similar to a regular ski jump. The aerated water provides a soft, safe landing and pushes skiers to the surface. The only hitch? Skiers have to hike more than 100 stairs to get to the top of the ramp.Aerialists are often called acrobats on skis. They rely on strength, flexibility and visualization techniques.”When you’re going down that jump at 45 miles an hour, and it’s 14 feet tall and 71 degrees, it looks like a wall of ice,” Dehlinger said. “You’re visualizing dropping your arms in a specific spot so that it either speeds up your twist or stops your twist, or helps you slow down your flip, or just controls everything.”Dehlinger said fans often get one thing wrong about his sport.”The biggest misconception is that we just don’t get scared. We do get scared, but we just deal with a different way. We just push it down and do what we need to do,” Dehlinger said. And what Dehlinger needs to do now is get to the top of the ramp at Milan-Cortina. He’s already visualizing gold and ready to find out if he’s got what it takes. The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games start Feb. 6.

Freestyle skier Quinn Dehlinger punched his Olympic ticket eight months before most of his fellow 2026 Olympians.

Dehlinger found out last June that he’d earned a spot in the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. It was a huge relief after he barely missed out on making the 2022 Beijing Team.

It was a game-changer, mentally, heading into World Cup races this season.

“Going into the competitions this year, if I got sick or had a minor injury, it lifted a little of the weight off the shoulders,” Dehlinger said.

Dehlinger lives in Park City, Utah, where aerial skiers train year-round at the Utah Olympic Park. But he grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, skiing at Perfect North Slopes.

It’s a far cry from the mountains out west. But it’s become a pipeline for aerial athletes. In fact, four skiers on the national team are from the Cincinnati area.

Top aerial skiers spend their summers in Park City training at the Spence Eccles Olympic Freestyle Pool. The pool is aerated. Skiers go off plastic jumps similar to a regular ski jump. The aerated water provides a soft, safe landing and pushes skiers to the surface.

The only hitch? Skiers have to hike more than 100 stairs to get to the top of the ramp.

Aerialists are often called acrobats on skis. They rely on strength, flexibility and visualization techniques.

“When you’re going down that jump at 45 miles an hour, and it’s 14 feet tall and 71 degrees, it looks like a wall of ice,” Dehlinger said. “You’re visualizing dropping your arms in a specific spot so that it either speeds up your twist or stops your twist, or helps you slow down your flip, or just controls everything.”

Dehlinger said fans often get one thing wrong about his sport.

“The biggest misconception is that we just don’t get scared. We do get scared, but we just deal with a different way. We just push it down and do what we need to do,” Dehlinger said.

And what Dehlinger needs to do now is get to the top of the ramp at Milan-Cortina. He’s already visualizing gold and ready to find out if he’s got what it takes.

The 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Games start Feb. 6.

[ad_2]

Source link

January 23, 2026
Olympic games a long time coming for Team USA curler Korey Dropkin

[ad_1]

I was born and grew up and raised at the Curling Club. That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, *** place with *** down to earth approach to the sport. It was so nice growing up there. Some curling clubs have more of *** commercial business feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have *** real homey feel, and Brimstones is top of the list in terms of. That home club feel, um, and that’s like one of the things, probably the thing I appreciate most about Brimstones. Dropkin learned precision, teamwork, and strategy there. Three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, *** bronze medal at the Junior Olympics. You know, it was that moment where I was like, wow, this is incredible. Like look at this medal. Now I want some more of this. Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. With his mixed doubles partner Corey Thiessen, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized would happen for *** very long time. It’s just knowing that if I keep my head down, if I keep working hard, and if I keep dreaming big, that one day I can get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t, if I don’t let up, if I don’t. You know, if I keep going, I can get there. And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiessen playfully use the nickname Corey and Corey to reference their team. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Fletcher Mackle.

Olympic games a long time coming for Team USA curler Korey Dropkin

Updated: 6:00 AM EST Jan 22, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The first curling club was founded in Scotland in 1716, but curling didn’t become an Olympic medal sport until the 1998 games in Nagano.As a child, Korey Dropkin watched Olympic curling on TV, and it was love at first sight. “I was born and raised growing up at the curling club,” Dropkin said.That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, a place with a down-to-earth approach to the sport.”It was so nice growing up there, you know, some clubs have a commercial, business-like feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have a real homey feel, and Broomstones is top of the list in having that home club feel,” Dropkin said.Dropkin learned precision, teamwork and strategy there, three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.”It was that moment when I was like, this is incredible, like look at this medal, now I want some more of this,” Dropkin said.Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. Teaming with mixed doubles partner Cory Thiesse, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized for a long time.”Just knowing that if I keep my head down and I keep working hard and dreaming big, I could get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t let up, if I keep going i can get there,” Dropkin said. And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiesse use the playful nickname “Cory and Korey” for their team.

The first curling club was founded in Scotland in 1716, but curling didn’t become an Olympic medal sport until the 1998 games in Nagano.

As a child, Korey Dropkin watched Olympic curling on TV, and it was love at first sight.

“I was born and raised growing up at the curling club,” Dropkin said.

That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, a place with a down-to-earth approach to the sport.

“It was so nice growing up there, you know, some clubs have a commercial, business-like feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have a real homey feel, and Broomstones is top of the list in having that home club feel,” Dropkin said.

Dropkin learned precision, teamwork and strategy there, three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

“It was that moment when I was like, this is incredible, like look at this medal, now I want some more of this,” Dropkin said.

Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. Teaming with mixed doubles partner Cory Thiesse, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized for a long time.

“Just knowing that if I keep my head down and I keep working hard and dreaming big, I could get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t let up, if I keep going i can get there,” Dropkin said.

And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiesse use the playful nickname “Cory and Korey” for their team.

[ad_2]

Source link

January 21, 2026
Olympic games a long time coming for Team USA curler Korey Dropkin

[ad_1]

I was born and grew up and raised at the Curling Club. That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, *** place with *** down to earth approach to the sport. It was so nice growing up there. Some curling clubs have more of *** commercial business feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have *** real homey feel, and Brimstones is top of the list in terms of. That home club feel, um, and that’s like one of the things, probably the thing I appreciate most about Brimstones. Dropkin learned precision, teamwork, and strategy there. Three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, *** bronze medal at the Junior Olympics. You know, it was that moment where I was like, wow, this is incredible. Like look at this medal. Now I want some more of this. Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. With his mixed doubles partner Corey Thiessen, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized would happen for *** very long time. It’s just knowing that if I keep my head down, if I keep working hard, and if I keep dreaming big, that one day I can get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t, if I don’t let up, if I don’t. You know, if I keep going, I can get there. And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiessen playfully use the nickname Corey and Corey to reference their team. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Fletcher Mackle.

Olympic games a long time coming for Team USA curler Korey Dropkin

Updated: 3:00 AM PST Jan 22, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The first curling club was founded in Scotland in 1716, but curling didn’t become an Olympic medal sport until the 1998 games in Nagano.As a child, Korey Dropkin watched Olympic curling on TV, and it was love at first sight. “I was born and raised growing up at the curling club,” Dropkin said.That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, a place with a down-to-earth approach to the sport.”It was so nice growing up there, you know, some clubs have a commercial, business-like feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have a real homey feel, and Broomstones is top of the list in having that home club feel,” Dropkin said.Dropkin learned precision, teamwork and strategy there, three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.”It was that moment when I was like, this is incredible, like look at this medal, now I want some more of this,” Dropkin said.Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. Teaming with mixed doubles partner Cory Thiesse, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized for a long time.”Just knowing that if I keep my head down and I keep working hard and dreaming big, I could get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t let up, if I keep going i can get there,” Dropkin said. And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiesse use the playful nickname “Cory and Korey” for their team.

The first curling club was founded in Scotland in 1716, but curling didn’t become an Olympic medal sport until the 1998 games in Nagano.

As a child, Korey Dropkin watched Olympic curling on TV, and it was love at first sight.

“I was born and raised growing up at the curling club,” Dropkin said.

That club, Broomstones in Wayland, Massachusetts, a place with a down-to-earth approach to the sport.

“It was so nice growing up there, you know, some clubs have a commercial, business-like feel, and then there’s curling clubs that have a real homey feel, and Broomstones is top of the list in having that home club feel,” Dropkin said.

Dropkin learned precision, teamwork and strategy there, three core principles he mastered, resulting in early success, a bronze medal at the Junior Olympics.

“It was that moment when I was like, this is incredible, like look at this medal, now I want some more of this,” Dropkin said.

Unfortunately, international success eluded him until now. Teaming with mixed doubles partner Cory Thiesse, he’s headed to his first Olympic Games, something he visualized for a long time.

“Just knowing that if I keep my head down and I keep working hard and dreaming big, I could get there, and it might not be smooth because it hasn’t been smooth sailing, but if I don’t let up, if I keep going i can get there,” Dropkin said.

And now he’s there. Dropkin and Thiesse use the playful nickname “Cory and Korey” for their team.

[ad_2]

Source link

January 21, 2026
Born on the slopes, moguls skier Jaelin Kauf favorite to win gold medal at Milan Cortina Olympics

[ad_1]

Jalen Gough was born on the slopes. The oldest child of professional mogul skiers, her mother Patty is *** 3-time X Games champion. One of the first Americans to qualify for the games in Italy, Jalen is one of the favorites to win gold. But before we talk about her skiing, let’s talk about her dancing. Last year, Cough and her US mogul’s teammates went viral after performing the Dallas Cowboys cheerleader’s famed thunderstruck routine. Impressed by her moves in ski boots, America’s sweethearts invited her to dance with them pregame last fall. I was very nervous. I was like shaking, meeting the cowgirls and dancing with them. Um, I mean, I feel like the nervous competing is, you know, you get the jitters, but like. I know that run. I know how to ski it. I’m nervous to like dance with professional dancers is like I don’t know how to dance. This is like not so out of my comfort zone, but um it was really cool to be able to do that. Something else that’s. Last March, she won the Mogul’s World Championship, conquering the course in Lavino, where she’ll be skiing during the Olympics. Like I feel really great with where my skiing is at right now. Prepared, focused, and ready to earn her first Olympic gold. And to indulge *** bit on some of the food at the games. I’m going to be eating *** lot of pizza and pasta the whole time. I could never get sick of either of those foods. So Kough’s longtime boyfriend Bradley Wilson is also *** mogul skier, *** three-time Olympian. He retired from the sport after the 2022 games in Beijing. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Fletcher Mackle.

Born on the slopes, moguls skier Jaelin Kauf favorite to win gold medal at Milan Cortina Olympics

Updated: 3:00 AM PST Jan 14, 2026

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Originally called “hot dogging,” freestyle skiing became an Olympic sport at the Calgary games in 1988, and for one American skier, freestyle is a family affair.Jaelin Kauf was born on the slopes, the oldest child of professional mogul skiers. Her mother, Patti, is a three-time X-Games champion.One of the first American athletes to qualify for the games in Italy, Jaelin is one of the favorites to win gold, but before we tell you about her skiing, let’s talk about her dancing.Last year, Kauf and her U.S. moguls teammates went viral after performing the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ famed thunderstruck routine.Impressed by her moves in ski boots, America’s Sweethearts invited her to dance with them pregame last fall. “I was very nervous. I was, like, shaking, meeting the cowgirls, dancing with them. I mean, I feel like skiing, I get nervous competing, you know, you get the jitters, but, like, I know that? I know how to see it. I’m nervous to, like, dance with professional dancers, I don’t know how to dance, so it’s like, so out of my comfort zone, but it was really cool to be able to do that,” Kauf said. Something else that’s cool, last March she won the moguls World Championship, conquering the course in Livigno where she’ll be skiing during the Olympics. “I feel really great with where my seeing is out right now,” Kauf said.Prepared, focused, and ready to earn her first Olympic gold, and to indulge a bit in some of the food at the games.”I’m going to be eating a lot of pizza and pasta the whole time. I could never get sick from either of those foods,” Kauf said. Kauf’s longtime boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, was also a moguls skier. A three-time Olympian, he retired from the sport after the 2022 Games in Beijing.

Originally called “hot dogging,” freestyle skiing became an Olympic sport at the Calgary games in 1988, and for one American skier, freestyle is a family affair.

Jaelin Kauf was born on the slopes, the oldest child of professional mogul skiers. Her mother, Patti, is a three-time X-Games champion.

One of the first American athletes to qualify for the games in Italy, Jaelin is one of the favorites to win gold, but before we tell you about her skiing, let’s talk about her dancing.

Last year, Kauf and her U.S. moguls teammates went viral after performing the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders’ famed thunderstruck routine.

Impressed by her moves in ski boots, America’s Sweethearts invited her to dance with them pregame last fall.

“I was very nervous. I was, like, shaking, meeting the cowgirls, dancing with them. I mean, I feel like skiing, I get nervous competing, you know, you get the jitters, but, like, I know that? I know how to see it. I’m nervous to, like, dance with professional dancers, I don’t know how to dance, so it’s like, so out of my comfort zone, but it was really cool to be able to do that,” Kauf said.

Something else that’s cool, last March she won the moguls World Championship, conquering the course in Livigno where she’ll be skiing during the Olympics.

“I feel really great with where my seeing is out right now,” Kauf said.

Prepared, focused, and ready to earn her first Olympic gold, and to indulge a bit in some of the food at the games.

“I’m going to be eating a lot of pizza and pasta the whole time. I could never get sick from either of those foods,” Kauf said.

Kauf’s longtime boyfriend, Bradley Wilson, was also a moguls skier. A three-time Olympian, he retired from the sport after the 2022 Games in Beijing.

[ad_2]

Source link

January 14, 2026
Forgiveness, redemption and leadership define Team USA wheelchair curler Steve Emt

[ad_1]

Forgiveness, redemption, and leadership. Those three principles define Team USA curler Steve Hempt. Here’s how Steve Hemp describes growing up in Hebron, Connecticut All American childhood, most popular kid in my high school, great student, and that 6 ft 5, *** great athlete, one who earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy and then transferred to play basketball for the powerful UConn Huskies. But in 1995, his life changed forever. I was *** drunk driver and fortunately I’m lucky to be alive and sitting here with you all great people today. I was left for dead on the side of the road. I woke up from my coma and I was told I was never gonna walk again at 25 years old. He passed out behind the wheel, flipping his pickup truck, and he was ejected. After the crash, Steve spent months lying to people, telling them *** deer caused his accident. Then he accepted responsibility. We’re human, we’re gonna mess up. Forgive yourself, accept what happened, and move on. Steve’s new direction becoming *** high school teacher and basketball coach and finding the sport wheelchair curling. I’m an 11 time national champion, two time Paralympic, going on 3, world championships, and my life slogan, I live by this and I. Every day it’s not what happens to you it’s what you decide to do with what happens. What’s happening now for Emp is historic. He just qualified with Laura Dwyer for the first ever mixed doubles curling event at the Paralympics, and he’s excited to travel to Italy for the first time. I’m looking forward to eating pizza. I don’t know, is it different than what we have in New York or Chicago? I don’t know, um, but just the landscape, the people, just being out there, and again, the opportunity to. Represent Team USA and the grant it’s the stages. It’s goosebumps. On top of being *** teacher, coach, and Paralympian, Empt is also *** motivational speaker who’s written *** self-help book. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Fletcher Mackel.

Forgiveness, redemption and leadership define Team USA wheelchair curler Steve Emt

Forgiveness, redemption and leadership define Team USA wheelchair curler Steve Emt

Updated: 3:00 AM PST Nov 28, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

Forgiveness, redemption, and leadership: Those three principles define Team USA wheelchair curler Steve Emt. Here’s how Emt describes growing up in Hebron, Connecticut: “All American childhood, most popular kid in my high school, great student.”Standing 6-foot-5, Emt was a great prep athlete who earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy and then transferred to play basketball for the powerful University of Connecticut Huskies.But life changed in 1995.”I was a drunk driver; fortunately, I’m lucky to be sitting here with you, great people, today. I was left for dead on the side of the road, and when I woke up from a coma two weeks later, I was told I’d never walk again, at 25 years old,” said Emt. He passed out behind the wheel, flipping his pickup truck, and was ejected. After the crash, Steve spent months lying to people, telling them a deer caused his accident, then he accepted responsibility. “We’re human. We’re gonna mess up, forgive yourself, accept what happened, and move on,” Emt said.Steve’s new direction, becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach, and finding the sport of wheelchair curling. “I’m an 11-time national champion. two-time Paralympian going on three, world championships, too. My life’s slogan, I live by this, and I say it every day, ‘it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you decide to do with what happens,’” said Emt. What’s happening now is historic. He qualified with Laura Dwyer for the first-ever mixed doubles curling event at the Paralympics, and he’s excited to travel to Italy for the first time. “I’m looking forward to eating pizza. I don’t know, is a different than what we have in New York or Chicago? I don’t know, but just the landscape, the people just being out there. And again, the opportunity to represent Team USA on the grandest stage, I get goosebumps,” said Emt. On top of being a teacher, coach and Paralympian, Emt is also a motivational speaker who’s written a self-help book.

Forgiveness, redemption, and leadership: Those three principles define Team USA wheelchair curler Steve Emt.

Here’s how Emt describes growing up in Hebron, Connecticut: “All American childhood, most popular kid in my high school, great student.”

Standing 6-foot-5, Emt was a great prep athlete who earned an appointment to the United States Military Academy and then transferred to play basketball for the powerful University of Connecticut Huskies.

But life changed in 1995.

“I was a drunk driver; fortunately, I’m lucky to be sitting here with you, great people, today. I was left for dead on the side of the road, and when I woke up from a coma two weeks later, I was told I’d never walk again, at 25 years old,” said Emt.

He passed out behind the wheel, flipping his pickup truck, and was ejected. After the crash, Steve spent months lying to people, telling them a deer caused his accident, then he accepted responsibility.

“We’re human. We’re gonna mess up, forgive yourself, accept what happened, and move on,” Emt said.

Steve’s new direction, becoming a high school teacher and basketball coach, and finding the sport of wheelchair curling.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Steve Emt poses for a portrait during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games on Oct. 28, 2025, in New York City.

“I’m an 11-time national champion. two-time Paralympian going on three, world championships, too. My life’s slogan, I live by this, and I say it every day, ‘it’s not what happens to you, it’s what you decide to do with what happens,’” said Emt.

What’s happening now is historic. He qualified with Laura Dwyer for the first-ever mixed doubles curling event at the Paralympics, and he’s excited to travel to Italy for the first time.

“I’m looking forward to eating pizza. I don’t know, is a different than what we have in New York or Chicago? I don’t know, but just the landscape, the people just being out there. And again, the opportunity to represent Team USA on the grandest stage, I get goosebumps,” said Emt.

On top of being a teacher, coach and Paralympian, Emt is also a motivational speaker who’s written a self-help book.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 28, 2025
Sisters on the slopes: These 3 Olympic skiing hopefuls are competitive siblings

[ad_1]

The recipe for the Masuga Sisters, *** trio of Olympic hopefuls, fearless, fast, and *** lot of fun. Don’t let the glitzy photo shoot fool you. No matter what it is, we are going for the win. The Masuga Sisters are fierce competitors, even without their skis. The game of spoons is banned in our household because we. In the Christmas tree over it and they come by it honestly. Allie absorbs the bumps of moguls with ease. Lauren, she’s flat out fast in the downhill, and Sam, Sam defies gravity high above the slopes. The air gets underneath your skis. It picks you up by all that surface area and you actually feel it rotate you over and take you away from the ski jump. It’s it’s incredible. It feels really cool. Their flight on and above the snow in pursuit of gold takes them far from the starting gate and from each other. Usually I’m stalking them on the app and seeing the live results. I’m like, Lauren’s on course. Sam’s about to jump. I’m like, oh my gosh, but I think all of us just appreciate it so much because we’re all so excited for each other. We just want to see each other succeed. I think it’s hard tracking your two sisters. Their mother has resorted to *** spreadsheet to keep tabs on all three. And my mom just learned how to color code incredible work she’s doing. So when you get to the travel, it’s like travel, travel, travel, travel, travel. All of us traveling all across the world, you’re like, oh my gosh, I, I don’t know how she keeps track of it and figures out how to watch everyone the same amount of times. Now the hope is the tracking will get. In February, *** family reunion in Milan. It’s been the dream. That was the first, the original dream, and it still is, and I just can’t wait. And how about this? There is another Masuga and you guessed it right. Their brother Daniel is also in the ski business and they say he is fast. On the road to Milan Cortina, I’m Jason Newton.

Sisters on the slopes: These 3 Olympic skiing hopefuls are competitive siblings

Updated: 11:34 AM EST Nov 24, 2025

Editorial Standards ⓘ

The Macuga sisters from Park City, Utah, are Olympic hopefuls in skiing, each excelling in different disciplines while maintaining a strong family bond and competitive spirit.Alli Macuga, an Olympic moguls hopeful, said, “No matter what it is, we are going for the win.” The Macuga sisters are fierce competitors, even without their skis. Alli Macuga’s sister, Sam Macuga, said, “Yeah, the game of spoons is banned in our house because we threw our cousin into the Christmas tree over it.”Alli Macuga absorbs the bumps of moguls with ease, Lauren Macuga is known for her speed in downhill skiing, and Sam Macuga defies gravity with her ski jumps. Sam Macuga described the sensation of ski jumping:”The air gets under your skis. It picks you up by all that surface area, and you actually feel it rotate you over and take you away from the ski jump. Wow. It’s incredible. It feels like, really cool.”Despite competing in different events, the sisters support each other from afar. Alli Macuga said, “Usually, I’m stalking them on the FIS app and seeing the live results. I’m like, Lauren’s on course, Sam’s about to jump. I’m like, oh my gosh. But I think all of us just appreciate it so much because we’re all so excited for each other. We want to see each other succeed.”Their mother has devised a spreadsheet to keep track of their competitions. Lauren Macuga said her mom just learned how to color-code her calendar to keep it all straight. “I don’t know how she keeps track of it and figures out how to watch everyone the same amount of time,” she said.The sisters hope to all make it to Milan in February for the Olympics. Lauren Macuga expressed her excitement, saying, “That’s just, it’s been the dream. That was the first, the original dream. And it still is. And I, you know, I just can’t wait.”Adding to the family’s skiing legacy, their brother Daniel is also a skier and is known for his speed. The sisters credit youth sports programs in Park City for allowing them to try out and find their sport at little to no cost.

The Macuga sisters from Park City, Utah, are Olympic hopefuls in skiing, each excelling in different disciplines while maintaining a strong family bond and competitive spirit.

Alli Macuga, an Olympic moguls hopeful, said, “No matter what it is, we are going for the win.” The Macuga sisters are fierce competitors, even without their skis.

Alli Macuga’s sister, Sam Macuga, said, “Yeah, the game of spoons is banned in our house because we threw our cousin into the Christmas tree over it.”

Alli Macuga absorbs the bumps of moguls with ease, Lauren Macuga is known for her speed in downhill skiing, and Sam Macuga defies gravity with her ski jumps. Sam Macuga described the sensation of ski jumping:

“The air gets under your skis. It picks you up by all that surface area, and you actually feel it rotate you over and take you away from the ski jump. Wow. It’s incredible. It feels like, really cool.”

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
U.S. skier Lauren Macuga, U.S. skier Sam Macuga, and U.S. skier Alli Macuga talk on stage during the Team USA Media Summit ahead of the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 at the Javits Center, in New York City on Oct. 28, 2025.

Despite competing in different events, the sisters support each other from afar. Alli Macuga said, “Usually, I’m stalking them on the FIS app and seeing the live results. I’m like, Lauren’s on course, Sam’s about to jump. I’m like, oh my gosh. But I think all of us just appreciate it so much because we’re all so excited for each other. We want to see each other succeed.”

Their mother has devised a spreadsheet to keep track of their competitions. Lauren Macuga said her mom just learned how to color-code her calendar to keep it all straight. “I don’t know how she keeps track of it and figures out how to watch everyone the same amount of time,” she said.

The sisters hope to all make it to Milan in February for the Olympics. Lauren Macuga expressed her excitement, saying, “That’s just, it’s been the dream. That was the first, the original dream. And it still is. And I, you know, I just can’t wait.”

Adding to the family’s skiing legacy, their brother Daniel is also a skier and is known for his speed. The sisters credit youth sports programs in Park City for allowing them to try out and find their sport at little to no cost.

[ad_2]

Source link

November 24, 2025