11 women to watch at 2026 Winter Olympics

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11 women to watch at 2026 Winter Olympics

© George Walker IV, George Walker IV / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Jess Koffie, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Fri, Dec 12, 2025 ·

8 min read

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The Winter Olympic Games are a showcase of incredible athleticism, dramatic rivalries, and defining cultural moments. As the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics draw near, female athletes across disciplines are capturing global attention not only for their medal potential but also for the stories of resilience, reinvention, and long-standing excellence they represent. From the snow-covered slopes to the fast-paced ice rinks and high-speed tracks, these are the key women who embody the competitive and inspirational spirit of the Winter Games.

Lindsey Vonn

One of the most compelling narratives of the 2026 Winter Olympics belongs to Lindsey Vonn, who is one of the greatest American alpine skiers of all time. Vonn announced a comeback after six years of retirement and major knee surgery, training to compete in her fifth Winter Games at age 41. Her return has been nothing short of historic, as Vonn just captured a World Cup downhill victory for the first time since 2018 and became the oldest skier ever to win a World Cup race.

Vonn's legacy includes three Olympic medals and 83 World Cup wins across multiple disciplines. Her decision to chase further Olympic glory not only adds depth to the alpine skiing field but also challenges traditional notions about age and peak performance in elite sport. In Milan-Cortina, her participation symbolizes perseverance and could be her official swan song on the Winter Olympic stage.

Mikaela Shiffrin

If Vonn epitomizes legacy, Mikaela Shiffrin represents mastery across disciplines. Widely regarded as one of the greatest alpine skiers in history, Shiffrin has amassed 104 World Cup victories, making her the most successful Alpine skier in the modern era.

Shiffrin has captured multiple world titles and Olympic gold medals in slalom and giant slalom, and ushers in a new generation of technical and all-around skiing excellence. As the 2026 Games approach, Shiffrin sits atop the World Cup standings with dominant performances in slalom and giant slalom while consistently scoring across other disciplines.

The combination of technical precision, mental focus, and versatility she possesses keeps her among the favorite medal contenders in not just one event, but potentially several. Shiffrin's sustained excellence makes her a pillar of the American winter sports narrative and a compelling figure for global audiences.

Chloe Kim

Chloe Kim has carved her name into Olympic history in the sport of snowboarding. She burst onto the scene as a 17-year-old gold medalist in the halfpipe at PyeongChang 2018 and repeated that feat in Beijing 2022. Known for pushing the sport's technical boundaries, Kim was the first woman to land a 1260 in competition and continues to innovate while performing at the highest level.

Kim's journey reflects athletic evolution and personal reinvention. Taking time away from competition to focus on her mental health and education didn't diminish her dominance; instead, she returned stronger, consistently topping podiums at world championships. As she eyes Milan-Cortina, Kim stands poised not just to defend her Olympic title but to make history by becoming the first snowboarder to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals — a feat that would elevate her legacy even further.

Marie-Philip Poulin

Marie-Philip Poulin is an indispensable figure in women's ice hockey. The Canadian center is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest hockey players of her generation, if not all time. She has scored game-winning goals in multiple Olympic gold-medal games, earning her the nickname Captain Clutch.

Poulin enters the 2026 Games as captain of the Canadian national team and continues to dominate at the club level as well, earning accolades in the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). Her leadership and scoring prowess provide Canada with stability and strategic advantage in a sport that is growing in parity and popularity worldwide. The rivalry between Canada and the United States remains one of the most riveting narratives at every Olympic cycle, and Poulin is central to that story.

Kendall Coyne Schofield

Another name that resonates especially in women's ice hockey is Kendall Coyne Schofield. Although detailed Olympic forecasts fluctuate with team rosters, Coyne Schofield's impact on the sport as one of the fastest skaters and most dynamic forwards sets her apart. Her presence in international competition often alters game momentum and creates scoring opportunities against the toughest defenses. While more often discussed in World Championship contexts and PWHL competition, her role as a veteran leader could be pivotal should she compete at Milan-Cortina.

Kaori Sakamoto

From ice dancing and figure skating emerges Kaori Sakamoto, the celebrated Japanese skater known for her expressive performances and competitive consistency. Sakamoto has achieved historic successes, including becoming the first woman since 1968 to win three consecutive World Figure Skating Championship titles. Her blend of technical skill, artistic presentation, and competitive poise positions her as a leading medal contender in women's singles figure skating.

Sakamoto's performances resonate beyond technical scores; they capture emotional narratives and national pride. On the Olympic stage, her programs often become cultural touchpoints and inspire young skaters around the world. Milan-Cortina will likely be a defining chapter in her celebrated career.

Kaillie Humphries & Elana Meyers Taylor

In bobsledding, Kaillie Humphries and Elana Meyers Taylor have each helped elevate the sport for women in both the United States and Canada. Humphries, a three-time Olympic gold medalist, brings a wealth of experience and tactical mastery to Milan-Cortina as she pursues further success on the world's biggest stage. Starting her career in Canada before switching to represent the US, Humphries is looking to add another medal to her collection that also includes three world championships.

Meyers Taylor also remains a cornerstone of American bobsled, balancing athletic excellence with advocacy for women in sliding sports. She holds the highest number of medals in women's Olympic bobsled history with five, and she'll attempt to raise the total again after medaling in the last four Games in a row.

Both athletes are not only consistent medal threats but also leaders within teams that blend veteran experience with rising talent. Their presence, especially as two athletes in their 40s, underscores how bobsled now features a depth of diverse talent after once being dominated by a narrow field of competitors.

Hilary Knight

In women's hockey, Hilary Knight epitomizes sustained excellence and competitive passion. A veteran forward for Team USA, Knight has accumulated multiple Olympic medals and remains one of her nation's most productive offensive players.

Approaching what may be her final Games, Knight embodies leadership on and off the ice. Her ability to excel against elite competition while mentoring younger teammates contributes to the United States' ongoing prominence in international women's hockey. Her performances are anticipated to play a vital role in Team USA's quest for gold.

Mystique Ro

While sports such as alpine skiing and snowboarding often dominate headlines, sliding sports feature rising talents like Mystique Ro, a skeleton racer capturing attention with her speed, poise, and rapid ascent. Ro transitioned from collegiate track and field to skeleton and quickly rose through the ranks, scoring a World Championship silver medal and becoming the first American in years to win a World Cup skeleton race.

Her story — marked by athletic versatility, resilience after injury, and the physical courage to race headfirst down icy chutes at over 80 mph — makes her one of the most exciting dark-horse medal contenders. With skeleton making strides in visibility and competition, Ro's journey exemplifies the depth and diversity in Winter Olympic sports.

Erin Jackson

In long-track speed skating, Erin Jackson has already made history, becoming the first Black American woman to win individual Olympic gold in the sport. Her rapid rise to prominence is rooted in fierce athleticism and a commitment to expanding the sport's reach. At Milan-Cortina, Jackson will be among the marquee names in speed skating, expected to compete for medals and inspire a new generation of athletes from diverse backgrounds.

Ester Ledecká

Finally, Ester Ledecká represents one of the most unique stories in Winter Olympic history as a dual-sport champion. Ledecká shocked the world in PyeongChang 2018 by winning gold in both alpine skiing and snowboarding, becoming the first athlete to win Olympic titles in two different disciplines at the same Games. Whether she continues to compete in 2026 or reemerges remains a topic of fascination, but her achievements have already redefined what is possible for multi-discipline athletes.

The 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics will bring together seasoned legends, rising stars, and boundary-breaking athletes. Whether it's Vonn's remarkable comeback, Shiffrin's pursuit of further Alpine glory, Kim's bid for snowboarding immortality, or the tactical brilliance of Poulin and Knight on the ice, these athletes represent the depth and diversity of women's winter sports.

From the high-speed tracks of skeleton to the elegance of figure skating and the tactical grit of hockey, each athlete carries personal stories and competitive narratives that promise unforgettable moments. As fans around the world prepare to watch these women compete for Olympic medals, their journeys remind us that the Games are about more than just entertainment and podium finishes — they celebrate human resilience, cultural progress, and athletic excellence in its highest form.

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