Colorado Athletes Hit the Slopes and Trails at 2026 Winter Olympics
TESERO & CORTINA, Italy - A pair of Colorado skiers took center stage Tuesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, representing their countries in alpine skiing and cross-country events. While the final results didn’t land them on the podium, both athletes showed the kind of grit and skill that’s become synonymous with Colorado’s winter sports pedigree.
Cass Gray Tackles Inaugural Alpine Team Combined for Canada
Former University of Colorado standout Cass Gray suited up for Canada in the debut of the Alpine Team Combined event - a new Olympic format pairing downhill speed with slalom precision. Gray took on the downhill leg for Canada II and clocked in at 1:41.41, a solid run that placed the team 22nd after the first segment, trailing the leaders by just under five seconds.
But alpine combined is a two-part dance, and in the slalom portion, fortunes turned. Gray’s teammate, Ally Nullmeyer, was disqualified during her run, cutting short any chance the duo had of posting an official combined time. It was a tough break in a promising Olympic debut for the event - and for Gray, whose downhill effort gave her team a fighting chance before the slalom misstep.
Hugo Hinckfuss Just Misses Sprint Heats in Cross-Country
On the cross-country side, current Colorado Buff Hugo Hinckfuss took on the men’s classic sprint - a lung-burning, all-out effort where every second counts. Hinckfuss turned in a time of 3:23.41 in the qualification round, good for 42nd overall. He missed the cut for the top 30 - and a spot in the head-to-head heats - by just under five seconds.
It was a strong showing in a deep and competitive field, and while he won’t advance, the experience adds another layer to Hinckfuss’s development on the international stage. The classic sprint is one of the more explosive events in Nordic skiing, and Hinckfuss held his own against some of the sport’s fastest men.
What’s Next for Team Colorado
The Olympic action continues Wednesday with another familiar face for Colorado fans. Joanne Reid, a veteran of two previous Games, makes her 2026 debut in the women’s 15K individual biathlon.
The race kicks off at 6:15 a.m. MT, and Reid will be looking to lean on her experience and shooting precision in one of the most demanding events of the Games.
As the Olympics roll on, Colorado’s athletes continue to represent with heart and hustle - whether it’s on the icy slopes of Cortina or the snowy trails of Tesero.