Congratulations to Our 2026 Vermont Winter Olympians!

Dear Fellow Vermonter,

As the 2026 Winter Olympic Games ends, I am proud to congratulate the many extraordinary athletes who represented Team USA and our state of Vermont in Milan Cortina.

Not only did our athletes train hard, but they delivered historic, record-breaking achievements:

• Ben Ogden, cross-country sprint and men’s team sprint — two silver medals; making him the most decorated men’s cross-country skier in U.S. Olympic history
• Jessie Diggins, cross-country 10K — bronze medal; the most accomplished cross-country U.S. skier of all time
• Mac Forehand, ski big air — silver medal
• Michaela Shiffrin, alpine skiing (slalom) — gold medal
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle, alpine skiing (giant slalom) — silver medal; won 54 years to the day after his mother’s Olympic gold  
• Paula Moltzan, alpine skiing (team combined) — bronze medal

Together, these seven medals account for 21 percent of all medals earned by U.S. Olympians. That is truly remarkable for our small state. These are outstanding achievements, and I know all of Vermont joins me in celebrating their success!

Jessie Diggins poses after winning a bronze.
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Ben Ogden celebrates after winning silver.
(Getty Images/Alex Pantling)

Ryan Cochran Siegle stands on the podium after winning silver.
(AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Paula Moltzan competes in the slalom before winning bronze.
(AP Photo/Andy Wong)

We also recognize members of the Vermont Army National Guard who proudly competed in the U.S. Olympic biathlon event, including Sgt. Deedra Irwin, Spc. Maxime Germain and Spc. Sean Doherty.

Representing our state and country in the Olympics is no small feat. It is a testament to many years of hard work and dedication. We congratulate every Vermonter who competed this year:

• Chloe Aurard-Bushee, hockey — Vermont Academy
• Ryan Cochran-Siegle, alpine skiing — Starksboro, VT
• Spc. Sean Doherty, biathlon — Vermont National Guard
• Mac Forehand, freestyle skiing — Stratton Mountain School
• Jessie Diggins, cross-country skiing — Stratton Mountain School
• Kevin Drury, ski cross — South Burlington, VT
• Margie Freed, biathlon — University of Vermont
• Spc. Maxime Germain, biathlon — Vermont National Guard
• Sgt. Deedra Irwin, biathlon — Vermont National Guard
• Julia Kern, cross-country skiing — Stratton Mountain School
• Kristyna Kaltounkova, hockey — Vermont Academy
• Sini Karjalainen, hockey — University of Vermont and Vermont Academy
• Chloe Levins, biathlon — Rutland, VT
• Julia Mesplede, hockey — University of Vermont
• Natalia Mlynkova, hockey — University of Vermont
• Paula Moltzan, alpine skiing — Waitsfield, VT
• Nina O’Brien, alpine skiing — Burke Mountain Academy
• Ben Ogden, cross-country skiing — Landgrove, VT
• Jessica Perlmutter, snowboarding — Killington Mountain School
• Sara Roderick, skeleton — University of Vermont
• Mikaela Shiffrin, alpine skiing — Burke Mountain Academy
• Laurence St-Germain, alpine skiing — University of Vermont
• Spencer Wood, para alpine skiing — Pittsfield, VT
• Jack Young, cross-country skiing — Jay, VT

The Olympics are a time for the world to come together and celebrate the hard work of top athletes, dedicated trainers and the supportive communities that cheer them on. You can watch our Vermont summer Olympians wishing our winter Olympians good luck before the games HERE.

Congratulations, Vermont Olympians — you are an inspiration to our state and have made us all very proud!

Sincerely,