Lindsey Vonn is competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics alongside teammates who are up to 19 years younger.
Younger skiers like Mary Bocock view Vonn as a source of wisdom and a mentor.
Teammates credit Vonn with fostering a helpful and supportive culture on the U.S. ski team.
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy – American speed skier Mary Bocock wasn’t born until one year and eight months after Lindsey Vonn made her Olympic debut in Bocock’s hometown of Salt Lake City, Utah.
That was 24 years ago.
“It’s nice to have such a wide range of ages on this team,” Bocock said during a news conference Tuesday at the 2026 Winter Olympics, prompting Bella Wright to raise her eyebrows and laugh.
“Because there’s so much wisdom,” Bocock continued, placing emphasis on the word ‘wisdom’ as she gestured toward the teammate 19 years her senior, “to be given to me.”
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Vonn replied, “I love how you put that,” through a chuckle. “Thank you.”
A humorous, and perhaps blunt, way to state it, but Bocock’s words were genuine. She also spoke about sitting with Vonn during film sessions, watching her break down courses with coaches, talk tactics and decide what line she wants to take. Having just expanded into speed skiing from technical events during the 2024-25 season, Bocock is eager to soak up any and all advice she can get. So Vonn gave the rookie an inside look into her process.
Vonn doesn’t think of herself as a leader of the United States’ 2026 Winter Olympic ski team. But Bocock, Wright, Keely Cashman, Breezy Johnson and Jackie Wiles do. They also think of her as a mentor. Someone who’s always willing to help. Who’s always willing to share her expertise.
“She’s a mentor. And she knows a lot,” Johnson said. “And she has a lot of experience, so she brings that to the team. And then when we do have time and we are hanging out, she’s also a friend.”
Wright is also from Salt Lake City, but she was 4 years old when Vonn made her Olympic debut. Vonn retired in 2019 before rejoining the World Cup circuit after a partial right knee replacement in 2024. So Wright (who qualified for her first Games in 2022) didn’t think she had a chance to ski alongside Vonn. Wright called being Vonn’s teammate in Cortina amazing.
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Wiles’ first year with the U.S. ski team was 2013. She wasn’t fully funded then, so Vonn helped out with the difference. She looked at Wiles’ equipment and took her through intimidating courses. Vonn’s generosity has since permeated U.S. skiing culture.
“It’s cool to be a part of a team that we all really do try to help one another,” Wiles said. “And I feel like Lindsey set that tone pretty early on.”
Having her back at the Olympics, Wiles said, “elevates and inspires” the whole group.
“I think it’s just a privilege to have Lindsey Vonn on the team,” Wright said.
Reach USA TODAY Network sports reporter Payton Titus at ptitus@gannett.com, and follow her on X @petitus25.
