Team USA ski jumping roster announcement coming as 2026 Winter Games near

MILAN, Metropolitan City of Milan — Ski jumping, one of the most thrilling events at the Winter Olympics, will take center stage at the 2026 Games in Milan-Cortina. The final U.S. Olympic ski jumping team is expected to be announced by Jan. 20.

Athletes in the sport race down a steep ramp before launching into the air, soaring for several seconds at speeds exceeding 55 mph. Competitors can travel more than 300 feet during a jump, making wind conditions a critical factor. Judges apply wind and gate compensation when calculating scores.

Performance is evaluated by five judges based on distance and style, including body position, balance and landing execution. A flawless landing can add valuable points, while even a slight posture adjustment can determine whether an athlete earns a medal or suffers a crash.

Ski jumping has been included in every Winter Olympic Games since its debut at the first edition in Chamonix in 1924, initially as a single men’s large-hill event. A normal-hill competition was added in 1964, followed by a men’s team event in 1988. 

Women’s ski jumping did not make its Olympic debut until 2014 in Sochi, when the women’s normal-hill event was introduced. More recently, the mixed team event was added in Beijing in 2022. 

For 2026, a women’s large-hill event will be added and the men’s super-team will replace the traditional men’s team event.