How Abby Winterberger Became the Youngest Member of Team USA at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

To grasp how Abby Winterberger became the youngest competitor on Team USA for the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics at just 15 years old, one must understand her innate courage and determination. This was evident from an early age, exemplified by the waterslide story her father, Jim Winterberger, fondly recalls.

During a family vacation, a young Abby eagerly wanted to try a challenging waterslide at a park they stopped by. Despite being very young and noticeably small, Abby was undeterred when told by an attendant that she was too short to ride. Her father’s concern quickly turned to awe as Abby boldly dove headfirst into the slide without a raft, speeding around the slide’s giant funnel at an incredible pace. This fearless act stunned the attendant and hinted at Abby’s future as an Olympian.

Fast forward to the present day, and Abby Winterberger is now gearing up to compete in the halfpipe at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. Just a teenager without even a driver’s license in her home state of California, she will compete against her heroes who she grew up watching. Although she didn’t anticipate qualifying for the Games when she began her first professional season, her talent quickly cemented her place on the team. “I don’t think it’s really sunk in fully,” Abby shared with NBC News.

Her journey echoes that of Maggie Voisin, who was similarly 15 during the 2014 Sochi Olympics, remaining the youngest American to qualify in freestyle skiing. Abby follows closely, being a few months younger, and holds the distinction of being the youngest American athlete at Milan Cortina across all sports.

Abby’s coach, Cooper Davidson, who has been guiding her since she was seven at OVFree near Lake Tahoe, emphasized the main intention behind their Olympic debut: experiencing a memorable ski trip and learning from other athletes. Her achievements so far in the season suggest that reaching the finals as the top American is within her reach, although securing a medal would demand mastering more complex routines with higher amplitude and intricate rotations.

“I really don’t know if I see a ceiling for her long-term potential,” Davidson remarked, citing the rapid advancements seen in freeskiing and Abby’s ability to excel at such a young age.

Abby’s skiing career began quite organically in Truckee, California, a convenient drive from Lake Tahoe’s numerous ski runs. By the age of two, driven by the desire to keep pace with her older brother Mack, she had already taken to skiing. Davidson observed Abby’s determined spirit and discipline early on, qualities that extended to her pursuits in other sports such as gymnastics, in which she competed seriously between the ages of 5 and 13.

Her interest shifted more towards skiing in 2020 when the pandemic halted her local gymnastics practice. She and her brother resorted to creating jumps in their backyard, as the extensive air control she’d developed in gymnastics naturally adapted to her skiing. Watching the 2022 Winter Olympics only fueled her aspirations further. With supportive involvement from skiers in her Tahoe community who had previously made it to the Olympics, dreaming of qualifying felt achievable.

This season, Abby’s impressive performances landed her in 18th place in the overall World Cup rankings and seventh in the freeski halfpipe on the global stage. Her consistent ability to perform smoothly, highlighted by a standout Olympic qualifier in challenging weather conditions, secured her a spot on the team. Skogen Sprang, the U.S. team’s freeski sport director, emphasized how athletes like Abby, despite their young age, bring immense promise to the future of the sport.

Now a global figure in professional skiing, Abby juggles focusing on her career while maintaining elements of a typical teenage life in Truckee, including attending school remotely to accommodate her constant travels. While living a standard high school experience was an option, Abby chose the path that aligned with her dreams.

“This is the life that I want to be living,” Abby affirmed. In true Abby fashion, she approached her Olympic goals with both determination and the fearless spirit reminiscent of that day at the waterslide. Her father summed it up perfectly: “She’s always given everything she has. Full send, every time.”