Youngest U.S. Olympian Abby Winterberger Competes in Milan

Winterberger's proud grandparents cheer her on from Bonita Springs watch party

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Abby Winterberger, the 15-year-old freestyle skier, made history as the youngest U.S. Olympian when she competed in the women's freeski halfpipe event at the Milan Olympics. Her grandparents, Pete and Carole Winterberger, hosted a watch party in their Bonita Springs, Florida home to cheer on their granddaughter as she took to the slopes.

Why it matters

Winterberger's Olympic debut at just 15 years old is a remarkable achievement, highlighting the rising talent and dedication of young American athletes. Her family's support and the community's enthusiasm for her journey underscores the inspiring stories that emerge from the Olympic Games.

The details

During Winterberger's practice run, her grandparents watched anxiously as other competitors crashed on the Olympic halfpipe. When Abby took her first official run, the room erupted in cheers as she completed the event without a fall. Winterberger finished 15th overall after her second run, narrowly missing the finals, but her grandparents expressed pride in her accomplishments and the sportsmanship displayed by all the Olympians.

  • Abby Winterberger competed in the women's freeski halfpipe event in Milan on February 19, 2026.
  • Winterberger will return to her hometown of Bonita Springs, Florida in April 2026 to visit her grandparents.

The players

Abby Winterberger

The 15-year-old freestyle skier who made history as the youngest U.S. Olympian when she competed in the women's freeski halfpipe event at the Milan Olympics.

Pete and Carole Winterberger

Abby Winterberger's proud grandparents who hosted a watch party in their Bonita Springs, Florida home to cheer on their granddaughter during the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Well, the scary part is, if they do crash, you know, if you see a crash, it's a little frightening. And we all gasp, and we know we hope everybody's OK. And it's not just her because we know most of the athletes as she does. You know she's grown up with all these people. It's a very close society of athletes.”

— Pete and Carole Winterberger, Abby Winterberger's grandparents (Gulf Coast News Now)

“The sportsmanship that we have seen from Olympians. Olympians. I think adults could learn a lot from it because they all support each other and they watch out for each other. They look out for each other's equipment, and these people are competing against each other. And they're all from all different countries.”

— Pete Winterberger, Abby Winterberger's grandfather (Gulf Coast News Now)

What’s next

Winterberger will watch her U.S. teammate Kate Gray compete in Saturday's competition. Pete and Carole Winterberger look forward to welcoming Abby back to Bonita Springs in April, where she will trade in the snow for some Florida sun.

The takeaway

Abby Winterberger's Olympic debut at just 15 years old is an inspiring story that highlights the rising talent and dedication of young American athletes. Her family's support and the community's enthusiasm for her journey underscores the power of the Olympic spirit to bring people together and celebrate athletic excellence.