Alaskan Skier Schumacher Reflects on Tough Olympic Start

Despite early disappointments, Gus Schumacher remains focused on future races and proud of his team's resilience.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Gus Schumacher, one of the top U.S. cross-country skiers, has faced a challenging start to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. After strong World Cup finishes earlier this season, Schumacher has struggled with a crash, poor qualifying results, and equipment issues in his first few Olympic races. However, the 25-year-old Alaskan is staying positive, drawing confidence from his past successes, and looking forward to upcoming events like the men's relay. Schumacher also discussed the bittersweet experience of watching his close friend and teammate Ben Ogden win a silver medal, while navigating his own disappointments.

Why it matters

Schumacher's story highlights the mental and emotional resilience required of elite athletes at the Olympics, where the stakes are highest and the pressure is immense. His willingness to openly discuss his struggles, while also celebrating his teammate's success, provides insight into the tight-knit dynamics of the U.S. cross-country ski team and the importance of maintaining perspective during challenging times.

The details

In his first Olympic race, the skiathlon, Schumacher crashed early on and was unable to catch up to the leaders. In the subsequent classic sprint, he failed to qualify for the heat rounds, an uncharacteristic result for the skier who has been on the World Cup podium multiple times this season. Schumacher attributed some of his struggles to equipment issues, though he acknowledged there may have been other factors at play. Adding to the difficulty, Schumacher's close friend and roommate, Ben Ogden, won a silver medal in the sprint event, a result that Schumacher was both proud of and slightly envious of.

  • On February 11, Schumacher crashed in the opening lap of the skiathlon race.
  • On February 13, Schumacher failed to qualify for the classic sprint heat rounds.
  • On February 14, Schumacher struggled in the 10-kilometer freestyle race, finishing well outside the top results.

The players

Gus Schumacher

A 25-year-old cross-country skier from Anchorage, Alaska, who is one of the top medal hopes for the U.S. ski team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Ben Ogden

Schumacher's close friend and teammate, who won a silver medal in the classic sprint event, breaking a long drought for the U.S. men's cross-country ski team.

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What they’re saying

“I can't remember exactly what he said, but the first thing he said, basically, when he came in the room, was: I've been thinking about you.”

— Gus Schumacher (adn.com)

“The hard things are what's cool about sport, and the Olympics. And the hard times are a lot of what I enjoy about what I do, because I think it makes me a better person. It just makes everything else in life feel so much easier.”

— Gus Schumacher (adn.com)

What’s next

Schumacher is looking forward to the men's relay event on February 16, where he hopes to put his early struggles behind him and compete at the highest level alongside his teammates.

The takeaway

Schumacher's willingness to openly discuss his Olympic disappointments and the bittersweet experience of watching a close friend succeed where he has struggled so far demonstrates the mental toughness and resilience required of elite athletes. His story serves as an inspiration for how to navigate adversity and maintain a positive outlook, even in the face of the immense pressure and scrutiny of the Olympic stage.