Youngest Team USA Athlete Embarks on Olympic Journey
At just 15 years old, Abby Winterberger from Truckee has made her mark as the youngest member of Team USA, traveling to Italy for the Winter Games. From an early age, skiing has been an integral part of her life, beginning her journey on the slopes before she even turned two.
“I’ve kind of been immersed in the ski culture forever,” Abby shared, highlighting how deeply rooted skiing is in her upbringing. By age six, she was already competing in both skiing and gymnastics, showing a natural affinity and determination for the sports.
Abby’s mother, Rosemary Winterberger, noticed her daughter’s passion and talent early on. “She was throwing flips on the skis at a really young age,” Rosemary recalled. “She was super dedicated and hardworking and really loved it.”
By seven, Abby was training with the Olympic Valley Freestyle Freeride Team, under the guidance of the same coach she has today. At 12, she chose to concentrate entirely on skiing, leaving gymnastics behind.
Abby’s schedule differs significantly from her peers, balancing online schooling with intense training sessions and competitions across the globe. “I do online school, so that helps a lot. It’s definitely still a lot to juggle with my social life, my school life, and I guess my professional life would be my skiing. But that’s also just like the fun part,” Abby explained.
This balancing act has propelled Abby to the Olympics. She secured her place by being the top U.S. woman at the final Olympic halfpipe qualifier, bolstered by strong performances internationally throughout the season.
Abby approaches her role on the team without feeling burdened by expectations. “I’m the rookie of the team, so I don’t really have to prove myself,” she remarked. “I don’t have to win a gold medal. I’m just here for the ride and trying to get the best result.”
Her family accompanies her throughout her Olympic adventure, from training in Switzerland to attending the opening ceremonies in Milan. “She is only 15, and she’s very independent and very mature,” Rosemary said. “But we just like to be close, just in case she needs us.”
For Abby, maintaining perspective is key as she treats the Olympics like any other competition. “Obviously, I’m going to get some nerves and feel a little pressure,” she admitted. “But it’s really just one competition. I want to do my best, but it’s not the end of the world.”
Abby Winterberger is set to compete in the halfpipe qualifiers on February 19, with the potential to advance to the finals on February 21.
