Australian skier defies injuries to earn Olympic start

Melissa Woods | January 27, 2026

Alpine skier Madison Hoffman has another chance to make her Olympic debut in Milan-Cortina four years after a heart-breaking injury wrecked her Beijing campaign.

With the Australian team officially confirmed for next month’s Games, athletes began assembling in Italy on Monday, gathering at the Australian Institute of the Sport (AIS) European Training Centre in Varese.

Four-time Olympian Laura Peel headlined the aerials contingent while another medal hope, bobsled star Bree Walker, was also part of the early arrivals ahead of the opening ceremony in Milan on February 6 (local time).

Hoffman and fellow US-based Sydneysider Phoebe Heaydon will make their Games debut in the slalom and giant slalom events, while 29-year-old Harry Laidlaw will return to Olympic action in the giant slalom eight years after competing in PyeongChang.

Fellow Victorian Louis Muhneln-Schulte was ruled out of selection contention for the giant slalom after he suffered a season-ending injury in France last month.

On the comeback trail, also after an ACL injury, Greta Small fell short in her bid to compete at a fourth Olympics after finishing 13th in the alpine combined in Beijing, which was her best Games result.

The alpine contingent wasn’t revealed when the remainder of the 53-strong Australian team was named on Friday, with two unnamed athletes appealing their non-selection for one spot to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which is based in Switzerland.

That was resolved over the weekend with the AOC not disclosing whether the appeals were successful.

Hoffman was set to compete in her maiden Olympics in Beijing but did her ACL racing in the US just days out from the Games so the 25-year-old is thrilled to get another opportunity.

That was put in major doubt when she was forced to undergo another reconstruction just over 12 months ago.

“Well this feels extra special … a year ago I was celebrating my first steps off crutches and today I found out I’m off the Olympics!!,” the 26-year-old posted on Instagram.

“This journey has been far from easy but I’m so so grateful for all my people that never stopped showing up.

“I am pretty sure little Mads would be proud of the fight it’s taken to get here.”

Laidlaw was also sidelined with injury before Beijing and then had another setback, requiring back surgery with team chef de mission Alisa Camplin praising the athletes’ resilience.

“Harry, Phoebe and Madison have each carved their own path through one of the most competitive global winter sports,” Camplin said.

“Their selection is a testament to years of discipline, resilience and gritty performances. To be amongst the world’s best is an outstanding achievement, I can’t wait to see them in action.

“Harry has waited eight long years to get another run at the Games, and Madi has come back from the heartbreak of injury at Beijing 2022 and a double knee reconstruction. These are truly inspiring stories of determination and belief.

“Watching Phoebe’s progression this season, to make her World Cup debut has been fantastic. She’s only 20 years old. How great is it to see Australia’s next-generation athletes rising to the top.”

Men’s alpine skiing will be held at the Stelvio Ski Centre in Bormio while the women’s events are at Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre in Cortina.

Laidlaw will be in action on February 14 while the Australian women race on February 15 in the giant slalom and three days later in the slalom.