Nick Baumgartner Reflects on Photo Finish in Olympic Snowboard Cross

Five-time Olympian discusses his future in the sport after narrowly missing the podium.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Nick Baumgartner, a five-time Olympian representing Team USA, reached the semifinals of the snowboard cross event at the Milan Cortina Games, but was eliminated in a photo finish. Despite the disappointing result, Baumgartner, 44, expressed his love for the sport and commitment to continuing his Olympic career.

Why it matters

Baumgartner's performance highlights the competitive nature of Olympic snowboard cross, where even seasoned veterans can fall short of the podium. His positive outlook and determination to keep competing at the highest level inspires other athletes and fans alike.

The details

In the semifinals, Baumgartner placed third in his heat, just behind gold medalist Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria and silver medalist Eliot Grondin of Canada. Haemmerle went on to defend his title, while Dusek of Austria took bronze. Despite the narrow defeat, Baumgartner remained upbeat, stating that he has 'never had so much fun losing' and that he will continue to compete because of his passion for the sport.

  • Baumgartner reached the snowboard cross semifinals on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
  • Haemmerle won gold, Grondin won silver, and Dusek won bronze in the final event.

The players

Nick Baumgartner

A five-time Olympian representing Team USA in snowboard cross, who narrowly missed the podium in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Alessandro Haemmerle

The defending gold medalist in the individual snowboard cross event, who won gold again in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Eliot Grondin

A Canadian snowboard cross athlete who won silver in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

Jakob Dusek

An Austrian snowboard cross athlete who won bronze in the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

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What they’re saying

“If you find something you love, it doesn't matter how much work you have to put in. You're happy to do it, and I'll continue to do it because I love what I do.”

— Nick Baumgartner (NBC)

“It's absolutely not.”

— Nick Baumgartner (NBC)

What’s next

Baumgartner has indicated that he plans to continue competing in snowboard cross, despite the disappointment of narrowly missing the podium at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games.

The takeaway

Baumgartner's resilience and passion for his sport, even in the face of a tough loss, serve as an inspiration to other athletes and fans. His commitment to representing his country and continuing to compete at the highest level demonstrates the true spirit of the Olympics.