Ryan Cochran-Siegle Nears Olympic Comeback After Skiing Close Call
Ryan Cochran-Siegle is gearing up for a significant comeback as he aims for another Olympic medal at the upcoming Games in Italy. With a remarkable skiing career marked by both triumph and adversity, Cochran-Siegle stands as a testament to resilience in the face of challenges.
From Injuries to Olympic Aspirations
Cochran-Siegle has faced numerous obstacles throughout his skiing journey, including severe injuries. A harrowing accident in Kitzbühel, Austria, in 2021 left him just millimeters away from a catastrophic spinal injury. He also endured a significant knee injury in 2013 that sidelined him for 17 months. At 22, doctors gave him only a 40% chance of continuing his competitive career.
Despite these setbacks, he persevered, ultimately winning a silver medal in the super-G event at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. He finished just four-hundredths of a second behind the gold medalist, making history as the only American Alpine skier to medal at those Games.
Family Legacy and Community Impact
The Cochran family has a rich history in skiing. Ryan’s mother, Barbara, won a gold medal in slalom at the 1972 Winter Olympics. The family’s ski area, Cochran’s, located in Richmond, Vermont, has been a community fixture since the 1960s. Built by his grandfather Mickey, it is committed to making skiing accessible, with the motto that “No child will be denied the opportunity to ski or ride.”
- Barbara Cochran: Gold medalist in slalom (1972 Olympics)
- Mickey Cochran: Founder of Cochran’s Ski Area in the 1960s
- Ryan Cochran-Siegle: Current Olympic hopeful
Preparing for Italy
Cochran-Siegle is scheduled to compete in Italy later this month, with aspirations to build on his previous Olympic success. He aims to replicate the performance that recently secured him a podium finish in a World Cup race in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. The upcoming event will take place on the challenging slopes of Bormio, known for its high speeds and risks.
As he prepares, Cochran-Siegle acknowledges the mental challenges that accompany competitive skiing. “Trust is everything,” he emphasizes, noting that confidence is essential for success in the sport.
Balancing Life on and off the Slopes
Despite his intense training and competition schedule, Cochran-Siegle remains grounded. He is a part-time engineering student at the University of Vermont and contributes to his family’s maple syrup business every spring, offering a peaceful retreat from the high-paced world of competitive skiing.
With a new Olympic season on the horizon, Ryan Cochran-Siegle is ready to put his fears aside, embrace the challenge, and aim for a medal that would solidify his legacy in the sport and continue the Cochran family’s storied tradition in skiing.
