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Para Alpine

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Nominates 32 Athletes to Represent Team USA at 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games

By Ryan Odeja
February, 24 2026
Brenna Huckaby

PARK CITY, UT (Feb. 24, 2026) - U.S. Ski & Snowboard has nominated 32 athletes to represent Team USA at the 2026 Milano Cortina Paralympic Winter Games, Mar. 6-15, 2026. The athletes were selected to Team USA based on pre-determined Paralympic Winter Games criteria set by U.S. Ski & Snowboard and will be officially announced to Team USA on Mar. 2, 2026. 

The Milano Cortina Games will take place across Italy. For ski and snowboard events, Cortina will host Para alpine and Para snowboard, with 79 medal events on the schedule. 

Team USA will send 32 athletes to the Paralympic Winter Games, including 11 athletes from the Stifel U.S. Ski Team and six athletes from the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team. Of the 32 athletes represented, 14 are first-time Paralympians. 

The U.S. enters the Paralympics with the best Para snowboard team in the world, taking home both the men’s and women’s Nations Cups this season. Brenna Huckaby, the most decorated Para snowboarder in the world and reigning Paralympic banked slalom gold medalist, is headed to her third Paralympic Games alongside veterans and multi-time medalists Noah Elliott, Mike Schultz and Keith Gabel. 

On the alpine side, Laurie Stephens and Andrew Kurka are returning for their sixth and fourth Paralympic Games, respectively, each as Paralympic champions and multi-time medalists. Newcomers to the team include Kate Delson, who finished second at Para snowboard World Championships last season in her debut. Kelsey O’Driscoll and Audrey Crowley will both take on their first Paralympic Games on the alpine side, both landing on the World Cup podium multiple times this season. 

“We are delighted to be sending an incredible team to the Paralympic Games,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, U.S. Ski & Snowboard President & CEO. “Between experienced veterans and exciting newcomers, I cannot wait to see what we can accomplish in Cortina.”

“This is the first Paralympic Games since Para alpine and Para snowboard have been reintegrated within U.S. Ski & Snowboard, and we couldn’t be more excited to support our team through these competitions,” said Anouk Patty, U.S. Ski & Snowboard Chief of Sport. “The athletes have been working incredibly hard throughout the season, and I know they are ready to shine in Italy.” 

The full Paralympic schedule can be found HERE. How to watch the Games via NBC-owned channels in the United States can be found HERE.  

PARALYMPIC ROSTERS
2026 U.S. Paralympic Alpine Team

(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Paralympic Teams)

Women
Visually Impaired

  • Meg Gustafson (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 4/22/2009)*
    • Guide: Spenser Gustafson (Edwards, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; 5/8/2007)*

Standing

  • Audrey Crowley (Eagle, CO; Ski & Snowboard Club Vail; University of Denver; 3/1/2007)*
  • Allie Johnson (Chicago, IL; National Sports Center for the Disabled; Colorado State University; 12/23/1994; 2022)
  • Kelsey O’Driscoll (Glens Falls, NY; National Sports Center for the Disabled; SUNY Adirondack; 1/24/1994)*

Sitting

  • Hailey Griffin (Paonia, CO; National Ability Center; Virginia Commonweath University; Colorado State University; 4/11/1991)*
  • Saylor O’Brien (Woodland, UT; National Ability Center; 4/28/2003)*
  • Anna Soens (Bend, OR; Oregon Adaptive Sports, National Sports Center for the Disabled; University of Otago; 7/28/1988)*
  • Laurie Stephens (Wenham, MA; University of New Hampshire; 3/5/1984; 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)

Men
Standing

  • Noah Bury (Salt Lake City, UT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; Weber State University; 1/18/2003)*
  • Patrick Halgren (Tolland, CT; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 6/24/1992; 2022)
  • Andrew Haraghey (Enfield, CT; National Ability Center; Westminster University; 12/16/1995; 2018, 2022)
  • Jesse Keefe (Sun Valley, ID; Sun Valley Ski Education Foundation; University of Colorado Colorado Springs; 3/26/2004; 2022)
  • Tyler McKenzie (Leominster, MA; National Ability Center; Bates College; 8/20/1991)*
  • Michael O’Hearn (Spring Lake, NJ; National Ability Center; Westminster University; 6/20/2001)*
  • Spencer Wood (Pittsfield, VT; Killington Mountain School; University of Colorado Boulder; 1/17/1997; 2018, 2022)

Sitting

  • Jasmin Bambur (Granby, CO; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 8/28/1979; 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022)
  • Matthew Brewer (Huntington Beach, CA; National Ability Center; Saddleback Community College; 5/8/1975; 2022)
  • Ravi Drugan (Eugene, OR; Oregon Adaptive Sports; 12/19/1989; 2022)
  • Blake Eaton (Proctor, MN, National Ability Center; University of Minnesota Duluth; 7/14/2004)*
  • Robert Enigl (Kaukauna, WI; National Sports Center for the Disabled/National Ability Center; Fox Valley Tech; 12/16/1983; 2022)
  • Andrew Kurka (Palmer, AK; Alyeska Ski Club; 1/27/1992; 2014, 2018, 2022)
  • Kyle Taulman (Winter Park, CO; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 12/20/2001; 2022)
  • David Williams (Fort Lauderdale, FL; National Sports Center for the Disabled; 7/27/1979; 2022)
2026 U.S. Paralympic Snowboard Team 

(Hometown; Club; College; Birthdate; Past Paralympic Teams)

Women
LL1

  • Brenna Huckaby (Baton Rouge, LA; Team Utah Snowboarding; 1/22/1996; 2018, 2022)

LL2

  • Kate Delson (San Diego, CA; Team Utah Snowboarding; 5/5/2005)*
  • Jackie Hamwey (Boston, MA; Team Utah Snowboarding; Northeastern University; 3/28/1989)*

Men
LL1

  • Noah Elliott (St. Charles, MO; DeVry University; 7/12/1997; 2018, 2022)
  • Mike Schultz (Kimball, MN; 8/27/1981; 2018, 2022)

LL2

  • Keith Gabel (Ogden, UT; Aspen Valley Ski & Snowboard Club; 7/20/1984; 2014, 2018, 2022)
  • Zach Miller (Silverthorne, CO; Adaptive Action Sports; DeVry University; 3/10/1999; 2022)
  • Joe Pleban (Fredericksburg, VA; Adaptive Action Sports; Christopher Newport University; 8/7/1990)*

*Denotes first-time Paralympian 

###

About U.S. Ski & Snowboard
U.S. Ski & Snowboard is the Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA, based in Park City, Utah. Started in 1905, the organization now represents nearly 240 elite skiers and snowboarders competing on 10 teams, including the Stifel U.S. Ski Team: alpine, cross country, freestyle moguls, freestyle aerials, freeski, nordic combined, Para alpine and ski jumping, the Toyota U.S. Para Snowboard Team and Hydro Flask U.S. Snowboard Team. In addition to the elite teams, U.S. Ski & Snowboard also provides leadership and direction for tens of thousands of young skiers and snowboarders across the USA, encouraging and supporting them in achieving excellence. By empowering national teams, clubs, coaches, parents, officials, volunteers and fans, U.S. Ski & Snowboard is committed to the progression of its sports, athlete success and the value of team. For more information, visit usskiandsnowboard.org.

Kelsey O'Driscoll headshot image
Kelsey O'Driscoll
Kelsey grew up skiing at Gore Mountain and spent her summers surfing in New Jersey with her family, who described her as always "being fast and fearless." In 2019, she graduated from State University of New York (SUNY) Adirondack and became a registered nurse, living out her dreams of helping oth
Kate Delson headshot image
Kate Delson
Kate was three years old when she started skiing in her hometown of Mammoth Lakes, California. She eventually switched to snowboarding, and found her passion. While growing up, her goals were always within the park, doing board slides, spins and getting big air off jumps.
Audrey Crowley headshot image
Audrey Crowley
Audrey was born in small town Wisconsin and grew up skiing on a 196 vertical foot hill with her family. Crowley was born without a fully developed right arm, but has grown up competitive in both adaptive and able-bodied races across the country.
Tyler McKenzie headshot image
Tyler McKenzie
Tyler started skiing at age three with his dad and brother on a small hill at the local middle school. As he got older, he started skiing at Mt.
Mike Schultz headshot image
Mike Schultz
In 2008, while competing in a snowcross race, Mike Schultz drifted off course, flying off his snowmobile and landing on his left leg. He sustained a severe compound fracture to his knee and, after multiple surgeries, had his leg amputated above the knee.
Zach Miller headshot image
Zach Miller
Zach was born with cerebral palsy and discovered snowboarding through the sports program at the Children's Hospital in Denver. Daniel Gale recruited Zach to join his snowboard team at age 13 and helped him progress into an elite athlete.
Brenna Huckaby headshot image
Brenna Huckaby
Brenna Huckaby, a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and five-time World Champion, was first introduced to Para snowboarding in 2013 after losing her right leg to cancer at age 14.
Keith Gabel headshot image
Keith Gabel
Gabel was introduced to snowboarding in 2000, and quickly developed a love for the sport. In June 2005, Gabel was involved in an industrial accident that crushed his left foot.
Saylor O'Brien headshot image
Saylor O'Brien
Saylor O’Brien is an adaptive athlete and 2026 Paralympian in alpine skiing. Born with Spina Bifida and raised by athlete parents, it was only natural for her to find her way into sports.
Jesse Keefe
Having grown up in a passionate skiing family and an active ski town, Jesse found himself in skis at just two years old. Keefe was born without an ankle bone in his right leg; at 11 months old, he had his foot amputated.
Noah Elliott headshot image
Noah Elliott
Noah learned about Para snowboarding through a camp he attended for children with cancer and was intriqued after meeting an adaptive athlete. This event helped him start his journey, and he moved from the Midwest to begin training consistently.
Allie Johnson headshot image
Allie Johnson
Johnson has been skiing since she was four years old, when she started with her family in Winter Park, Colorado. Ever since she was a little girl, she dreamed of skiing every day, but that was not quite a possibility while growing up in the suburbs of Chicago.
Spencer Wood headshot image
Spencer Wood
Spencer started skiing very young and even started racing at age five. Wood was diagnosed with hemiplegia of the right side of his body as a baby due to a stroke; although he was diagnosed early in life, Spencer’s parents didn’t tell him about the diagnosis until he was 10.
Andrew Kurka
Kurka’s first Olympic dream wasn’t on the slopes but on the wrestling mat, as he was a six-time Alaskan state champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
Andrew Haraghey headshot image
Andrew Haraghey
When Andrew was six months old, he contracted viral encephalitis, which resulted in cerebral palsy. This presents as severe muscle tension from the waist down. Andrew started skiing at seven and began racing a few years later.
Patrick Halgren headshot image
Patrick Halgren
Patrick Halgren’s favorite part about alpine skiing is the connection between technique and speed. “You can’t fake fast,” says Halgren.
Ravi Drugan headshot image
Ravi Drugan
Ravi Drugan was born in Treasure Island, Florida, before moving to Eugene, Oregon, with his family. In 2004, Ravi lost both of his legs after surviving being hit by a train. His injury led his parents to introduce him to alpine skiing through Oregon Adaptive Sports.

Kelsey O'Driscoll is 'On the Rise'

By Ryan Odeja - Stifel U.S. Ski Team
December, 17 2025
kelsey O'driscoll
Kelsey O'Driscoll races at the 2025 FIS Para Alpine World Ski Championships in Maribor, Slovenia. (FIS Para Snow Sports)

Kelsey O'Driscoll may be in her rookie season, but she doesn't have a rookie mentality. Within just a few years of starting to ski again after injury, O'Driscoll was introduced to racing, and is now named to the Stifel U.S. Para Alpine Ski Team for the first time. Last season, she was named to her first World Championships team, where she earned an impressive sixth-place finish. Just last week, Kelsey made her World Cup debut, finishing fourth, and by the end of the weekend, she had earned her first World Cup win. O'Driscoll's trajectory is astounding, and she isn't stopping anytime soon.

Between her work as a nurse and ski patroller, O'Driscoll is highly motivated to do everything the best she can on and off the slopes. 

O'Driscoll is the latest athlete featured in U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s “On the Rise” series, presented by Zions Bank. Through community service, sponsorships and charitable donations, Zions Bank is committed to fueling economic growth and enhancing quality of life in Idaho, Utah and Wyoming.

We caught up with O'Driscoll dive into her background, reflect on a season of milestones, and look ahead to her goals for 2025-26.

Q: What initially drew you to the sport of skiing?

A: I’ve been on skis since I was two and was in love from the start!

Q: When you were younger and getting into the sport, what were your goals? 

A: I wanted to ski race as a kid, but my parents said no, so I switched directions and dreamed of becoming a ski patroller. I became a ski patroller at 21, a nurse at 25, and then broke my back at 27. After I broke my back, I was determined to get back to being a ski patroller and nurse. Once I had done that, I started thinking about para ski racing and decided to give it a go!

Q: What is your biggest accomplishment?

A: Getting back to work as both a ski patroller and as a pediatric nurse after sustaining my spinal cord injury.

Q: What is your ultimate goal? 

A: To create visibility for disabled people working in both the ski and healthcare industries.

Q: Who are your heroes? Both in & out of the sport?

A: Mike Olsen is the person who showed me life keeps going after a spinal cord injury (SCI). He showed me what was possible with an SCI. Without him, I wouldn’t be doing any of this. He’s my hero!!

Q: You win $5,000 in prize money: What do you do with it?

A: Put half aside to go towards buying a house, and give the other half to the adaptive programs who have helped me get where I am now.

Q: Do you budget or follow any structure related to spending?

A: I keep track of my skiing expenses on a spreadsheet, and everything else in an app. I have a monthly budget for groceries, outings, bills, etc. I only put things that give me cash back on my credit card and I pay it off in full every month. 

Q: What’s one money habit you follow?

A:  I put 15% of my paycheck pretax into my employer-sponsored savings account, and 1/4 to 1/3 of my paycheck after taxes into my regular savings account. 

Follow Kelsey on her social media channels. 

Kelsey O'Driscoll headshot image

Kelsey O'Driscoll

Kelsey grew up skiing at Gore Mountain and spent her summers surfing in New Jersey with her family, who described her as always "being fast and fearless." In 2019, she graduated from State University of New York (SUNY) Adirondack and became a registered nurse, living out her dreams of helping others and making a positive impact. On a day of sledding with her family in 2021, O'Driscoll sustained spinal fractures, which left permanent damage, and she had to relearn how to walk. She was determined to return to nursing and, along the way, relearned her love of skiing as a four-tracker.

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