Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn nominated for ESPYs, also featured in TIME 100’s Most Influential People list.

Several of the biggest names in skiing enjoyed a memorable weekend of recognition after being honored at two of the most prestigious celebrations in sport, with female winter athletes earning widespread acclaim at both the 2026 ESPY Awards and the TIME100 Sports Gala.

Across the two high-profile events, five women from the skiing world were acknowledged for their achievements, influence, and contributions to sport. Their inclusion highlighted the growing visibility of skiing beyond the winter sports community, particularly following the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where many of these athletes delivered unforgettable performances on the world stage.

US aline skiers Mikaela Shiffrin and Lindsey Vonn attend the 2026 ESPY Awards at the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center in New York on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images)
ANGELA WEISS / AFP via Getty Images

While elite skiers have occasionally crossed into mainstream culture through appearances at major entertainment events such as the Met Gala, being celebrated alongside some of the world’s most recognizable sporting icons represents another significant milestone. Recognition at ceremonies that traditionally spotlight stars from football, basketball, golf, tennis, and other globally popular sports demonstrates how influential these athletes have become.

The ESPY Awards, organized annually by ESPN, celebrate the most outstanding performances and accomplishments across the sporting landscape over the previous year. The ceremony recognizes excellence in numerous categories, including Best Athlete, Best Comeback Athlete, and top performers across professional leagues such as the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL. Over the years, sporting legends including Tiger Woods, Stephen Curry, and Lionel Messi have all been honored during the event.

This year’s ceremony, held on July 15, featured a strong skiing presence, with Mikaela Shiffrin, Lindsey Vonn, and Eileen Gu all attending the star-studded event. Their appearances reflected not only their success on the snow but also their growing profiles within the wider sporting world.

Gu played an active role during the ceremony by helping present one of the evening’s major awards. She joined United States men’s national team footballer Folarin Balogun on stage to present the award for Best Championship Performance, which ultimately went to New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson following his standout season.

Shiffrin attended the awards ceremony alongside her fiancé and fellow alpine skier Aleksander Aamodt Kilde. The appearance came after another remarkable campaign that further cemented her status as the most decorated alpine skier in history. Her extraordinary achievements during the season earned her a nomination in the highly competitive Best Athlete – Women’s Sports category.

Soccer player, Folarin Balogun and Eileen Gu speak onstage during the 2026 ESPY Awards.
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She found herself competing for the honor alongside an impressive group of elite athletes that included hockey star Hilary Knight, golfer Kelly Norda, and WNBA standout A’ja Wilson. Simply earning a nomination among such distinguished company reflected the remarkable impact of Shiffrin’s performances throughout the past year.

The celebrations continued the following evening as athletes gathered for the TIME100 Sports Gala, another prestigious event recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on the sporting world. Rather than focusing solely on athletic accomplishments, the gala celebrates influence, leadership, innovation, and contributions that extend beyond competition.

Shiffrin was again among those recognized after being included in the Icons category of the TIME100 Sports list. The honor marked the second occasion she has appeared on the prestigious list, having previously received the same recognition in 2023. Her continued inclusion underlined both her sporting excellence and her lasting influence within international sport.

Eileen Gu also earned a place among the Icons this year following another hugely successful Olympic campaign. Her performances at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics captured global attention, while the composure and professionalism she displayed throughout the intense media scrutiny surrounding the Games further enhanced her reputation as one of winter sport’s leading ambassadors.

Paralympic superstar Oksana Masters completed the skiing representation within the Icons category. Masters is widely regarded as the most decorated Paralympic athlete in history, having accumulated 24 Paralympic medals across an extraordinary range of sports, including cross-country skiing, biathlon, cycling, and rowing.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for W+P

Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME

Her incredible achievements continued at the Milan-Cortina Paralympic Games, where she added three more medals to her remarkable collection. Her inclusion on the TIME100 list celebrated not only her competitive success but also her inspirational journey and enduring impact on adaptive sport around the world.

The Icons category also featured several globally recognized sporting figures from other disciplines, including ice hockey captain Hilary Knight, football legend Lionel Messi, figure skater Ilia Malinin, NBA superstar LeBron James, and cycling champion Tadej Pogačar.

Beyond the Icons category, skiing was also represented elsewhere on the TIME100 list. Lindsey Vonn received recognition in the Innovators section, highlighting her extraordinary resilience and determination throughout one of the most challenging periods of her career.

Vonn’s inclusion acknowledged her remarkable return to elite competition following partial knee replacement surgery. Despite enduring a devastating ACL injury and the crash that ultimately ended her Olympic campaign, she continued to pursue her dream of competing at the highest level. Her willingness to overcome repeated setbacks while remaining one of the sport’s most recognizable personalities made her a fitting choice among this year’s innovators.

Snowboarder Chloe Kim (left) and Oksana Masters (right) attend the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME

She shared the Innovators category with other influential athletes, including renowned climber Alex Honnold and figure skating champion Alysa Liu, reflecting the broad range of sporting excellence celebrated by the publication.

Another skiing representative honored by TIME was cross-country legend Jessie Diggins, who earned a place within the Leaders category. Diggins concluded her World Cup career as the most accomplished cross-country skier in United States history after adding another Olympic medal and securing her fourth Crystal Globe title.

Beyond her competitive achievements, TIME also recognized Diggins for the important work she has carried out away from competition. Throughout her career she has become a prominent advocate for raising awareness of eating disorders among young athletes while also supporting environmental initiatives through her involvement with Protect Our Winters, an organization focused on addressing climate change and protecting winter environments.

Together, the honors awarded to Shiffrin, Gu, Masters, Vonn, and Diggins reflected the remarkable impact women from the skiing community continue to make both inside and outside their respective sports. Their recognition across two major events demonstrated how winter athletes are increasingly earning appreciation alongside stars from mainstream professional sports.

Lindsey Vonn and Alysa Liu at The 2026 ESPYS.
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One notable aspect of this year’s honors was the absence of male skiers from either list. No male skier received an ESPY nomination or appeared anywhere on the TIME100 Sports rankings, leaving the spotlight firmly on the women whose performances, influence, and achievements helped elevate skiing’s profile during an unforgettable Olympic year.

Jessie Diggins (left) and Oksana Masters (right) attend the TIME100 Sports Gala.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME