California Athletes Shine at Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics

Team USA Olympians with Golden State ties to watch at the Winter Games

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:15pm

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The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy are underway, and several Team USA athletes with California connections are set to compete. This includes figure skaters Spencer Akira Howe from Los Angeles and Anthony Ponomarenko from San Jose, snowboarder Chloe Kim, ice hockey player Cayla Barnes from Eastvale, and Alpine skier Nina O'Brien from San Francisco.

Why it matters

California has long been a hotbed for winter sports talent, producing many elite Olympic athletes over the years. The 2026 Winter Games provide an opportunity to showcase the state's continued pipeline of world-class winter sports competitors on the global stage.

The details

The California-linked Olympians competing in Milano Cortina 2026 include figure skaters Spencer Akira Howe and Anthony Ponomarenko, snowboarder Chloe Kim, ice hockey player Cayla Barnes, and Alpine skier Nina O'Brien. These athletes have honed their skills in the Golden State and are now representing Team USA at the Winter Games.

  • The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina, Italy kick off on February 6, 2026.
  • The women's downhill skiing event featuring Lindsey Vonn is scheduled for February 8, 2026.

The players

Spencer Akira Howe

A figure skater from Los Angeles competing for Team USA.

Anthony Ponomarenko

A figure skater from San Jose competing for Team USA.

Chloe Kim

A snowboarder from California competing for Team USA.

Cayla Barnes

An ice hockey player from Eastvale, Riverside County competing for Team USA.

Nina O'Brien

An Alpine skier from San Francisco competing for Team USA.

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What they’re saying

“My Olympic dream is not over.”

— Lindsey Vonn (Instagram)

What’s next

Lindsey Vonn is scheduled to compete in the women's downhill race on February 8, 2026, despite suffering a terrifying crash during practice.

The takeaway

California's continued pipeline of world-class winter sports talent is on full display at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. These athletes from the Golden State are poised to make their mark on the global stage and inspire the next generation of winter sports competitors.