Lindsey Vonn honored as Athlete of the Year and for Best Comeback at the US Ski Team Stifel event

American skiing icon Lindsey Vonn has added another remarkable achievement to her legendary career after being recognized with two of the most prestigious honors at the 2026 Stifel U.S. Ski Team Awards. The decorated alpine star was named Athlete of the Year and Best Comeback following a season that captured the attention of the skiing world and demonstrated her resilience, determination, and elite talent.

Lindsey Vonn speaks at the USA Ski Team press conference in Cortina Itay. Credit: David Jackson/ Park Record

The awards were announced jointly by U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Stifel as part of their annual celebration recognizing outstanding achievements throughout the 2025-26 season.

The recognition is particularly significant because winners are selected through a voting process involving fellow athletes and team staff members. This means Vonn’s accomplishments were acknowledged not only by fans and observers but also by the people who witnessed her performances and dedication firsthand throughout the season.

A Remarkable Return to the Top

For Vonn, the awards represent the culmination of an extraordinary comeback story. After stepping away from competitive skiing and later returning to the sport, she faced questions about whether she could once again compete at the highest level.

Instead of merely returning, she delivered one of the most impressive campaigns of her career.

Her performances throughout the season demonstrated that she remained one of the most dangerous and talented racers on the slopes. Week after week, she challenged younger competitors and consistently placed herself among the elite athletes in the sport.

The Athlete of the Year award recognizes not only success in competition but also overall excellence, leadership, and impact on the team. Vonn’s season checked all those boxes.

At the same time, her Best Comeback honor highlighted the adversity she overcame to return to top-level competition. Few athletes have managed to bounce back from setbacks with the same determination and effectiveness displayed by Vonn during the past year.

Teammates and Staff Deliver Their Verdict

Unlike many awards that are determined solely by media members or outside experts, the Stifel Awards are decided by teammates and coaching staff.

This makes the recognition especially meaningful because it comes from individuals who understand the challenges athletes face throughout a demanding season.

The voting process allows members of the various U.S. Ski Team programs to acknowledge those who have made the biggest impact both on and off the snow.

Vonn’s double triumph indicates the tremendous respect she continues to command among her peers.

Receiving recognition from fellow athletes is often viewed as one of the highest compliments in professional sports because it reflects appreciation from people who compete and train at the same level.

For Vonn, being honored in both categories serves as further evidence of the influence she continues to have within American skiing.

Stifel Continues Support of Team Excellence

The 2026 edition marked the fourth year of the Stifel Awards program, which has become an important tradition within the U.S. Ski Team structure.

Each year, athletes and staff members across multiple disciplines are recognized for exceptional performances, development, and contributions to their teams.

Award recipients also receive cash prizes provided by Stifel, which serves as the title partner across numerous sports represented under the Stifel U.S. Ski Team umbrella.

Speaking about the awards, Ron Kruszewski emphasized the company’s pride in continuing to celebrate the achievements of athletes and support personnel.

According to Kruszewski, the organization’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with the dedication displayed by team members throughout the year.

He noted that the awards provide an opportunity to recognize hard work, perseverance, and success while also strengthening support for the athletes who represent the United States on the international stage.

Celebrating Achievement Across Every Discipline

The awards extend beyond alpine skiing and include athletes from multiple skiing and snowboarding disciplines.

From cross-country skiing to freestyle events, ski jumping, para alpine competition, and Nordic combined, the program recognizes excellence throughout the entire U.S. Ski & Snowboard system.

Chief of Sport Anouk Patty praised the winners and highlighted the collective effort behind the team’s achievements.

Patty emphasized that success at the highest level is never the result of athletes alone.

Instead, it requires the combined efforts of coaches, trainers, technicians, support staff, and countless individuals working behind the scenes.

She expressed gratitude for Stifel’s continued involvement and noted that recognizing these achievements helps inspire future success across all programs.

Alpine Team Award Winners

The alpine skiing category featured several notable winners in addition to Vonn.

Alongside Vonn, Ryan Cochran-Siegle received Athlete of the Year recognition on the men’s side after another impressive campaign.

Rookie of the Year honors went to Elisabeth Bocock and Jevin Palmquist.

Most Improved awards were earned by Mary Bocock and Kyle Negomir.

Vonn shared the Best Comeback category with Erik Arvidsson.

Meanwhile, Coach of the Year honors were awarded to Kip Spangler for his contributions to the team’s success.

The collection of awards highlighted the depth of talent currently present within the American alpine skiing program.

Cross-Country Stars Receive Recognition

The cross-country skiing program also celebrated several outstanding performers.

Veteran standout Jessie Diggins captured Athlete of the Year honors alongside Ben Ogden.

Rookie awards went to Sammy Smith and Murphy Kimball.

Most Improved recognition was awarded to Kendall Kramer and Zak Ketterson.

Best Comeback winners included Novie McCabe and Ogden, while Coach of the Year honors went to Matt Whitcomb.

These awards reflected another strong season for the American cross-country team on the international circuit.

Freeski, Freestyle and Nordic Combined Highlights

Several additional disciplines also celebrated top performers.

Within the freeski program, Athlete of the Year honors went to Grace Henderson and Mac Forehand.

The freestyle aerials division recognized Chris Lillis as Athlete of the Year, while moguls Athlete of the Year honors were awarded to Olivia Giaccio.

In Nordic Combined competition, Athlete of the Year awards went to Alexa Brabec and Niklas Malacinski.

Each category showcased athletes who excelled throughout the season and contributed significantly to their respective programs.

Recognition in Para Alpine and Ski Jumping

The Para Alpine program honored Patrick Halgren as Athlete of the Year.

Additional recognition went to rookie standout Meg Gustafson and Most Improved winner Anna Soens.

Meanwhile, the ski jumping program recognized Annika Belshaw and Kevin Bickner as Athletes of the Year.

Their achievements highlighted the growing strength of American ski jumping and reflected the progress made across the discipline during the past season.

Vonn’s Legacy Continues to Grow

Although Vonn’s career has already secured her place among the greatest skiers in history, her latest honors demonstrate that her influence remains as strong as ever.

Winning Athlete of the Year and Best Comeback in the same season is a rare accomplishment and speaks volumes about both her competitive success and personal resilience.

The awards recognize more than just race results. They acknowledge determination, perseverance, leadership, and the ability to inspire teammates and fans alike.

For Vonn, the 2026 Stifel Awards serve as another milestone in a career filled with remarkable achievements.

As she continues her journey in the sport, these honors reinforce her status as one of the defining figures in American skiing and one of the most respected athletes within the global winter sports community.

Her story remains a powerful example of what can be accomplished through dedication, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.