Lake Placid Ski Jumper Tate Frantz Competes in Men's Super Team at 2026 Olympics

The 20-year-old made his Olympic debut representing Team USA in the Super Team event.

Feb. 17, 2026 at 6:39pm

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Tate Frantz, a 20-year-old ski jumper from Lake Placid, New York, competed in the Men's Super Team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina, Italy. Frantz, who has been nicknamed 'Fly Guy' by friends and family, officially qualified for the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team two weeks prior to the opening ceremony after training in Lillehammer, Norway.

Why it matters

Frantz's Olympic debut marks a significant milestone for the young athlete, who has been passionate about ski jumping since childhood. As a three-time national champion and the American man with the highest World Cup point total in a single season, his performance at the Olympics showcases the growing strength of the U.S. ski jumping program.

The details

Frantz, who stands at 6-foot-1 and 138 pounds, is known for his physical prowess and precision in the sport. He made his World Cup debut at Lake Placid in 2023 and has since achieved a career-best 16th place finish at Vikersund, Norway. In the Men's normal hill individual event at the 2026 Olympics, Frantz finished 21st.

  • Frantz officially qualified for the U.S. Olympic Ski Jumping Team two weeks prior to the opening ceremony.
  • Frantz made his World Cup debut at Lake Placid in February 2023.
  • Frantz secured his first World Cup points in November 2023, finishing 30th in Ruka, Finland.
  • Frantz achieved a career-best 16th place finish at Vikersund, Norway.
  • Frantz's personal best jump of 231.5 meters was achieved in Planica on March 30, 2025.

The players

Tate Frantz

A 20-year-old ski jumper from Lake Placid, New York, who competed in the Men's Super Team event at the 2026 Winter Olympics, marking his Olympic debut.

Mimi Wacholder

Frantz's mother, a former U.S. Figure skating team member, who expressed pride and gratitude for her son's accomplishment.

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What they’re saying

“Getting that call was the best feeling in the world. Competing in the Olympics was something I wanted more than anything else. How friggin' cool is this?”

— Tate Frantz

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

Frantz will look to build on his Olympic debut and continue to improve his performance on the World Cup circuit in the coming seasons.

The takeaway

Tate Frantz's journey to the Olympics showcases the dedication and passion of young American ski jumpers, and his performance at the 2026 Winter Games highlights the growing strength of the U.S. ski jumping program.