Ones to Watch in Snowboard Cross at the Olympics

The Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics are underway and snowboarding has delivered thrilling moments already. Snowboard cross will soon have its time to shine with the men’s on February 12, the women’s on February 13 and the mixed team event on February 15. Let’s take a look at the names to watch on the Olympic course in Livigno. 

MEN

Adam Lambert (AUS)

Lambert leads the World Cup standings at the Olympic break. The Australian found the podium in all three races so far this season including a win in the last race before the Olympics in China. He could claim his first Olympic medal if he continues his run of form.

Eliot Grondin (CAN) 

Grondin dominated the tour last season on his way to his second straight overall crystal globe. He won seven races last season but has yet to pick up a win this season. He placed second in Dongbeiya. He took the silver in Beijing 2022 and is chasing his first career Olympic gold medal. He also won bronze in the mixed team event in Beijing 2022. Grondin also took the gold at the 2025 world championships in St. Moritz.

Jonas Chollet (FRA) 

Chollet is a rising star in the sport. It will be his Olympic debut and only seven World Cup starts. The Frenchman won the first race of the season in Cervinia and could shock the field in Livigno. 

Aidan Chollet (FRA) 

The Chollet family will be well represented. Aidan is the older brother of Jonas. He brings a deeper well of experience to the field in Italy, but it will be his Olympic debut as well. Aidan has six career World Cup podiums to his name. 

Jacob Dusek (AUT) 

Dusek was the 2023 world champion and came fourth in the 2025 world championships. Dusek is seeking his first Olympic medal after falling in the elimination rounds. He won the World Cup race in Dongbeiya earlier this year.

Alessandro Haemmerle (AUT) 

The snowboard cross star is defending his gold medal from Beijing 2022. Milano-Cortina will be the Austrian’s fourth Olympic appearance. He has two world championship medals and is still in form as he made the podium in Dongbeiya. 

Lorenzo Sommariva (ITA)

Sommariva will hope for some home snow advantage. He is the highest ranked Italian on the men’s side this season. The veteran is capable of eight career individual World Cup podiums. 

Nathan Pare (USA) 

Pare is one of the medal hopefuls from the USA. It will be his Olympic debut. Pare was named rookie of the season in 2023-24. Pare has two World Cup podiums in his career and is chasing the largest award of all. 

Cody Winters (USA)

Winters has two Olympic appearances in parallel giant slalom, including earlier this week in Livigno. This will be his first Olympic start in snowboard cross. He failed to medal in PGS but will be chasing his first Olympic medal in cross as one of the few to make Olympic appearances in both.

WOMEN

Charlotte Bankes (GBR)

Bankes is one of the consistent stars in the sport. Milano-Cortina 2026 will mark her fourth Olympic Games. Bankes has never placed better than sixth at the Olympics. She will be hungry to pick up a medal after winning everything else in the sport. She won the world championship in 2021 and 2023. Bankes is leading the world cup tour this season with one win and already has two overall crystal globes in her trophy case. 

Josie Baff (AUT)

Baff came second at the 2023 world championships. She has 16 World Cup podiums to her name. Baff is in good form with two podiums in three World Cup races this season. The Australian should be in the mix for the medals. 

Julia Nirani-Pereira (FRA)

Nirani-Pereira is making her third Olympic appearance. She took home silver in 2018. She won the 2025 world championship and the final World Cup race before the Olympics in China a few weeks ago. She is one of many strong contenders from the French team. 

Chloe Trespeuch (FRA) 

The French star knows what it takes to win on the Olympic stage with a silver in Beijing 2022 and bronze in Sochi 2014. This is her fourth Olympic games. The world champion took a year off to have a child but is back this season with two podiums already. 

Lea Casta (FRA)

Casta is making her Olympic debut. She took the World Cup crystal globe last season. She has 13 World Cup podiums to her name including a win in the season opener this campaign.

Michela Moioli (ITA)

Moioli represents the home snow hope. This is her fourth Olympic start. She already has one gold medal from 2018 and is looking for more. She is still at an elite level after winning the 2025 world championship. She came second in the World Cup race in Cervinia, Italy this season. 

Eva Adamczykova (CZE)

The Czech rider missed the Beijing 2022 Olympics. However, she podiumed in her two previous Olympic appearances with a gold in Sochi 2014 and bronze in PyeongChang 2018. She also took a year off to have a child and is back this season. 

Mia Clift (AUS)

The rookie of the season in 2023-24 is making her Olympic debut. The field is loaded but she should advance to the later rounds. She came second in the 2025 world championship. 

Sina Siegenthaler (SUI)

The Swiss rider took home bronze at the world championships. She has five World Cup podiums to her name and is hoping to improve upon her 16th place in Beijing 2022. 

Lindsey Jacobellis (USA) is also a name to look out for. The two-time gold medallist in Beijing 2022 is sitting out the competition. She will be missed as one of the legends of the sport. However, she will be in Italy on the broadcast as a commentator this time around.

The action begins with the men’s seeding runs on February 12 followed by the finals. The same format will be in play for the women’s races on February 13. The athletes will then pair up for the mixed team event on February 15.