Gaylord Olympian Winter Vinecki to skip 2026/27 season
Gaylord native and U.S. aerial skier Winter Vinecki announced she is skipping the 2026/27 season to prioritize her health and recover from ongoing injuries. The 27-year-old athlete did not receive medical clearance in time to safely train for the upcoming World Cup schedule after undergoing a neck operation earlier this year. Vinecki shared the update on social media, explaining that stepping away from competition is a vital step for her long-term future in aerial skiing. The pause comes after navigating multiple physical challenges in recent years while competing at the highest international level. Vinecki chose her team after more than a decade with the national program. “After 11 years on the U.S. Ski Team, I have had to make the incredibly difficult decision with my team not to compete this winter,” Vinecki said. Despite enduring physical setbacks over the last three years, Vinecki has remained a top performer in her sport. She is a five-time individual World Cup champion who placed second in the overall Aerials World Cup standings for the 2023/24 season. In January 2026, she secured a victory in Lac-Beauport, Canada and later placed sixth at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games. While she will miss the
