Winter Olympics: What to know about Team USA's NorCal athletes

"It's just about showtime for the thousands of athletes who qualified for the Winter Olympics next month in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. The XXV Winter Olympiad runs from Feb. 6-22 and will include Northern California stars such as Oakland figure skater Alysa Liu and the youngest member of Team USA's ski/snowboard roster, 15-year-old Abby Winterberger of Truckee, who competes in freestyle halfpipe skiing. In all, eight Northern California athletes will represent the United States, including three from the Bay Area."

"Bryce Bennett, Alpine Skiing, Truckee Age: 33 What to know: This will be his third Olympic Games. Took 16th in the downhill and 17th in the Super Combined at the Pyeongchang Games in 2018 and 19th in the downhill and 17th in the Super G at the Beijing Games in 2022. Keely Cashman, Alpine Skiing, Strawberry (Tuolumne County) Age: 26 What to know: Population of her hometown is 86. Also made the Olympic team in 2022,"

"Amelia Josephine (AJ) Hurt, Alpine Skiing, Carnelian Bay Age: 25 What to know: Competing in her second consecutive Olympic Games. Finished 13th in the Giant Slalom at the World Championships in 2025. Became hooked on skiing because her dad was a ski patrol at Palisades Tahoe. Alysa Liu, Figure Skating, Oakland Age: 20 What to know: Gold medal favorite. Retired in 2022 but returned to finish first at the World Championships in 2025."

The Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo run Feb. 6-22, featuring thousands of athletes and eight competitors from Northern California representing the United States. The roster includes Alpine skiers Bryce Bennett (third Olympics, past top-20 downhill and Super G finishes) and Keely Cashman (from Strawberry, pop. 86; 2022 Olympian and occasional barista). Amelia Josephine (AJ) Hurt returns for her second Games after placing 13th in Giant Slalom at the 2025 World Championships. Alysa Liu is a top medal favorite in figure skating after retiring in 2022 and returning to win Worlds in 2025. Nina O'Brien, Anthony Ponomarenko, and 15-year-old halfpipe skier Abby Winterberger also make the team.

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