Jakob Moch Makes History as First CU Athlete to Represent Germany at Winter Olympics
BOULDER - Jakob Moch hasn't even finished his freshman season at Colorado, but he's already etched his name into the school's record books - and now, Olympic history. The German cross-country skier has officially been named to his country’s Olympic team for the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina, becoming the first Winter Olympian from CU to represent Germany.
That’s a milestone in itself. But what’s even more impressive is how quickly Moch has made the leap from collegiate newcomer to Olympic athlete. He arrived in Boulder with some international racing experience, but it didn’t take long for him to show he was ready for the sport’s biggest stage.
The turning point came in December at the Cross Country World Cup in Davos, Switzerland. In his World Cup debut, Moch lined up against some of the best skiers on the planet - and didn’t flinch.
He placed 21st in the 10K freestyle, a remarkable result for a first-time World Cup starter. To put that in perspective, he was the second-youngest athlete in the entire field and the youngest skier to crack the top 100 by a full two years.
That’s not just promising - that’s elite.
And he didn’t slow down when he returned to the U.S. Just days after Davos, Moch suited up for his first collegiate race at the RMISA Invitational in Lake Placid, New York. Racing in the 20K freestyle, he finished second among RMISA skiers and fourth overall - a strong statement that he could hang with top-tier talent on both the international and college circuits.
Since then, Moch has continued to juggle World Cup starts with his freshman season at CU, gaining valuable experience against the world’s best while making an immediate impact for the Buffaloes. It’s a rare balancing act, and one that speaks to his work ethic, maturity, and sheer talent.
With his Olympic spot now confirmed, Moch becomes the latest chapter in Colorado’s proud Nordic skiing legacy. He’s the third straight active CU skier to compete in the Winter Olympics, following Petra Hyncicova in 2018 and Weronika Kaleta in 2022. That kind of continuity speaks volumes about the strength of the program and the level of athlete it continues to produce.
By the Numbers:
- Moch is the 45th Olympian in Colorado Buffaloes Ski Team history.
- He’s the first CU skier - and first CU student, period - to represent Germany at the Olympic Games.
- He becomes the 19th Nordic Olympian produced by the CU ski program, and the 20th from CU Boulder overall.
- Across all sports, Moch is the 60th known Winter Olympian with ties to the University of Colorado Boulder.
For a freshman just getting started in his collegiate career, Moch is already skiing in rare air. And with the Olympics on the horizon, the best may be yet to come.