USA Heating Up for 2026
Forehand, Canter, and Vonn deliver statement wins as Olympic selection pressure builds
With Milano Cortina 2026 getting closer, the World Cup calendar is starting to feel like a moving tryout—every result matters, every podium shifts the conversation. This weekend, the U.S. didn’t just show up… it stacked wins across three disciplines. From Aspen Snowmass slopestyle to a snow-heavy downhill in Austria, Team USA is heating up right on schedule.
Aspen Snowmass: Mac Forehand wins Freeski Slopestyle (Jan. 9)
On Friday at Aspen Snowmass, Mac Forehand (USA) was the class act on home snow, taking the men’s freeski slopestyle win ahead of Henry Sildaru (EST), with Ulrik Samnøy (NOR) rounding out the podium in third.
Forehand, 24, said the quiet part out loud—these aren’t just medals, they’re Olympic leverage: “This one means a lot. We have a big Olympic spot that we’re all battling for now, and the win definitely helps for me.”
Aspen Snowmass: Jake Canter breaks through in Snowboard Slopestyle (Jan. 10)
One day later, still at Aspen Snowmass, Jake Canter (USA) delivered his first-ever FIS Snowboard World Cup victory in the men’s slopestyle, posting an 85.16 to hold off Su Yiming (CHN) and Dane Menzies (NZL).
Canter’s winning run was a full highlight reel—technical rail precision into big-spin control—including: 50-50 to front lipslide 270, back 270 on 270, switch back 1260 nosegrab, back 1800 melon, switch noseslide 630 mute
The 22-year-old, now looking close to locking in a 2026 Olympic spot, summed up the mindset that separates podium riders from the rest:
“Pressure is a privilege. Have as much fun as possible while you’ve got it.”
Lindsey Vonn wins again – career victory No. 84 (Jan. 10)
Over in Zauchensee, Lindsey Vonn (USA) kept her comeback story ripping forward, winning a shortened Downhill in heavy snow for her second FIS World Cup win of the 2025/26 season—and the 84th victory of her legendary career. Kajsa Vickhoff Lie (NOR) and fellow American Jacqueline Wiles (USA) joined her on the podium.
Vonn, 41, made it clear she’s still wired exactly the same way: “I’m a pretty stubborn person. I have an intense amount of competitiveness in me… I honestly thought with my start number that I had no chance, because there’s so much snow, so I just swung really hard.”
Why it matters right now
These three wins hit different—but they all point to the same thing: Team USA is getting sharp at the right moment. Slopestyle rewards creativity and composure under scrutiny. Downhill demands raw commitment at speed when conditions get messy. Across the board, the U.S. is showing it has the depth – and the nerve – to thrive as the 2026 Olympic picture comes into focus.
If this is what January looks like, the road to 2026 is going to be loud.
