Stacy Gaskill Advances to Quarterfinals in Women’s Snowboard Cross at 2026 Winter Olympics
LIVIGNO, Italy - Stacy Gaskill, a former standout at Colorado, made the most of her second Olympic appearance on Thursday, powering her way into the quarterfinals of the women’s snowboard cross in Livigno. It was a gritty, composed performance that showed just how far she’s come since her Olympic debut.
Gaskill wasted no time setting the tone, clocking a 1:14.60 in seeding - good enough for 13th overall. That time wasn’t just solid; it was the fastest among all four American women in the field.
More importantly, it earned her a direct path into the elimination rounds, skipping the pressure of a second seeding run. In a sport where momentum and rhythm are everything, that early confidence boost can be huge.
In the 1/8 final, Gaskill lined up in Heat 4 and delivered one of the tightest races of the round. She crossed the line just .04 seconds behind the heat winner and a razor-thin .11 seconds ahead of third place.
That kind of margin? It's the blink of an eye - the kind of finish that defines snowboard cross.
But Gaskill held her line, stayed aggressive, and earned her spot in the quarterfinals.
There, in Quarterfinal 2, she found herself in another battle, this time alongside a U.S. teammate. For much of the race, Gaskill was right in the mix, holding a top-two position as the pack barreled down the course.
But snowboard cross is unforgiving, and in a final push to the finish, the field tightened. Gaskill ultimately finished fourth in a heat where all four riders were separated by just .41 seconds.
That’s how close it was - a split second that brought her Olympic run to a close.
Still, it was a strong showing for Gaskill, who proved she belongs among the sport’s elite. Her poise in the early rounds and ability to navigate high-pressure heats speak volumes about her growth since her last Olympic outing.
Cass Gray Competes in Super-G
Elsewhere on the mountain, former Colorado skier Cass Gray took on the women’s Super-G - her third event of a packed Olympic schedule. Unfortunately, she didn’t finish the course on Thursday.
It’s a tough break, but Gray’s not done yet. Her best event, the giant slalom, is still to come on Sunday, and all eyes will be on her as she looks to bounce back.
What’s Next for Colorado Athletes
The Olympic action continues Saturday with more Colorado ties on display. Joanne Reid and Ryder Sarchett are set to compete in the men’s giant slalom, adding to what’s already been a busy and exciting week for former Buffs on the world’s biggest stage.