Every morning UConn women's basketball star Azzi Fudd wakes up sore after a difficult game, she considers it a blessing. In February, the 2025 national champion finished the first completely healthy wire-to-wire regular season of her college career, finally putting behind her the bad memories of injuries in years past.
"I've never been so grateful for those little aches and pains," she told JWS earlier this month, during the brief lull between the Huskies' conference tournament win and' Women's March Madness.
Fudd has assumed a slightly different role for UConn women's basketball this season compared to past years. The senior has stepped up to fill the leadership void left by now-WNBA standout Paige Bueckers after last year's national championship victory — where Fudd herself claimed Final Four Most Outstanding Player honors.
UConn has also benefitted from last season's experience, as Fudd and her teammates learn to balance legacy with expectations ahead of what's becoming a deep 2026 NCAA tournament run.
"It's a more calming energy this year," Fudd said. "Not in a sense of feeling complacent, but it's not as frantic as I feel like the energy was before."
The Huskies look likely to run back the clock, zeroing in on the program's first perfect season since 2016 behind an even more dynamic, top-to-bottom squad than last year's champions. But regardless of the outcome, the final chapter of Fudd's college career will come to an end in the next two weeks.
"I really want to cherish just the little moments of my teammates," said the projected top 2026 WNBA draft pick. "I know how special it is to be in a place, a program like this, where it's literally a family."
Azzi Fudd Balances Basketball, Travel, and NIL Partnerships
Five seasons in the NCAA has transformed the 2026 Naismith Player of the Year finalist into an expert traveler. She's able to put in consistent performances, whether she's at home in Storrs or on the road. And when she's not playing, she's never far from the game, with fans spotting her courtside at WNBA and Unrivaled games throughout the summer.
But with the hectic Women's March Madness schedule, even she gets rattled sometimes.
"I feel stressed every time we travel, I'm not gonna lie," she said. "I'm in panic mode from the time practice ends to sitting down on that bus."
She packs light, keeping her Bible devotional, a book to read, and her phone charger within reach at all times. Those three items plus her headphones and basketball sneakers, and she's ready for gameday.
That travel savvy fuels Fudd's NIL partnership with Marriott Bonvoy, as the hotel chain furthers its investments in women's sports. The DC-area native pops up frequently during NCAA tournament commercial breaks, cheering on her teammates or talking with legendary UConn coach Geno Auriemma in Marriott Bonvoy's latest ad campaign.
"Marriott Bonvoy did a great job of capturing and highlighting those little moments that are key," she said.
The partnership has awakened a trove of cherished memories for Fudd. She recalls team movie nights, in-flight card games, and bothering her seat buddies as they fall asleep on long rides.
"I can't believe I only have a few of those trips left," she said. "Those are gonna be moments that I miss a lot."
Azzi Fudd and Sarah Strong Fuel UConn Women's Basketball
Speaking of long rides, UConn has blown through the first two rounds of NCAA tournament competition with ease. The Huskies first defeated No. 16 seed UTSA 90-52. Then, Fudd dropped a career high-tying 34 points on No. 9 Syracuse, powering UConn to a 98-45 victory in her final game at Gampel Pavilion.
The guard's partner on the court is fellow POY frontrunner Sarah Strong, now a dominant sophomore after winning the 2025 title as a true freshman. Strong leads the team in points, rebounds, and steals, while Fudd's prowess from behind the arc creates an unstoppable one-two punch.
"It's kind of what Azzi does — not miss," Strong said after Fudd's standout second-round performance. "I'm happy to see her at her most confident self. It's going to be really important in the long run, just really happy for her."
But UConn women's basketball is not simply a two-player operation. The Huskies are the healthiest they've been in years, with depth off the bench and strength on both sides of the ball. Forward Serah Williams opens Strong up in the paint, while Ashlynn Shade and KK Arnold set the tone on defense. Freshman Blanca Quiñonez subsequently provides opponents little relief off the bench. And she's backed up by equally dangerous options like transfer guard Kayleigh Heckel and young center Jana El Alfy.
"When you have a lot of players, you hope that they're different from each other," Auriemma told reporters in January. "As much as it's a challenge trying to give people minutes, it's worse sitting there looking down and going, 'I wish I had a couple more guys to put in.'"
But with such power inevitably comes increased attention and responsibility. Fudd isn't a naturally vocal leader. But she's been tasked with pushing her own comfort zone boundaries in Bueckers' commanding stead.
And the effort's been paying off, as Fudd arms the next generation with the tools to fill her shoes.
"I've been learning how to live in that uncomfortable space and to embrace it," she said. "It's been really cool to see my younger teammates also step into that role, into that newfound confidence."
From Storrs to the WNBA: The Final NCAA Chapter
Just four more wins stand between Fudd and a second consecutive national title. And then, of course, it'll be time to move on. In addition to travelling with her teammates, she'll miss her relationship with Auriemma, whom she credits with helping her find her voice at UConn.
"When you come in, it feels like that power dynamic [where] you're looking up to him and he's looking down on you," she explained. "Whereas, you continue throughout your years here [and] you're not peers, but it's a working relationship. You can go to him and have those conversations, and it's not one-sided."
The 23-year-old has been preparing for the pros, honing her off-ball movement by setting screens and creating opportunities while cutting.
"Not just running around, but setting things up," she said, describing her progress on the court. "[I'm] trying to either get myself or someone else open every single time I do something."
She's also upped her defensive game, aggressively hunting for steals and locking down opposing shooters. And while she works to sharpen her physical skills, her NIL deals and rising celebrity off the court provide an edge for the future.
But for the next two weeks, Fudd is focused on soaking up every second she has left with her squad.
"Each individual person, we've gone through so much together," she said. "To be able to bring that all together and say, 'Look at all that we've been through, look at all that we've accomplished.' We're ready for whatever life throws at us."
You can tell just from the sound of her voice that Wisconsin hockey superstar Caroline Harvey is tired.
And it makes sense. The Olympic gold medalist is emerging from a whirlwind winter, returning to school mired in both euphoria and fatigue after winning Most Outstanding Player for her part in Team USA's triumphant run.
But Harvey also wouldn't trade this moment for the world, she told JWS earlier this month, as she pivots from Olympic glory to a task much closer to home: winning Wisconsin their second straight national championship in her final few games as a Badger.
"Wisconsin hockey, we have the best fans in the nation," Harvey said, speaking from the school's training facility. "We've got a lot of support, and we have the best team on staff, best teammates. We're firing on all cylinders — no better time than now."
Of course, Harvey's squad is excited to have their on-ice sniper back. Known as "KK" to her teammates, the 23-year-old served as one of just six active NCAA players on the US Olympic squad, joining fellow Badgers Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, and Ava McNaughton, as well as Ohio State standout Joy Dunne, and Minnesota forward Abbey Murphy.
And there was no rest for the weary. The NCAA season continued while its stars were overseas, leaving the young US core to balance Olympic stardom, schoolwork, and keeping track of the competition back home even as they took care of business in Milan.
From NIL Deals to Championship Goals
Now firmly in the postseason, Harvey and Wisconsin teammate Lacey Eden somehow have even more to balance, fielding NIL opportunities stemming from hockey's growing popularity while carrying the torch for the NCAA's No. 1 team. They recently featured in UScellular's "Better Together" campaign, raising women's college hockey's profile to new heights.
"UScellular took the time to get to know us as people, and formatted this campaign around our interests and how we interact with each other — our playful, fun energy," Eden said. "They really brought this idea of our relationship to life."
"It truly is showcasing our friendship in general, and the connectivity we have," Harvey echoed. "That definitely plays into our honest style of play."
Simultaneous Success Across NCAA Hockey's Biggest Stages
While Harvey and her teammates navigated the Olympics, they made sure to stay in close contact with their college teammates back in Madison. Wisconsin prides itself on its women's hockey program, having won four of the last six national championships.
Harvey remembers wishing her her fellow Badgers luck via text before games. And she watched NCAA matches on her phone while in the treatment room in Italy alongside Wisconsin trainer Stefanie Arndt.
"[I was] definitely tuned in and cheering them on from afar," Harvey recalled. "I was missing them more than ever, and I'm just so glad and happy to be reunited with everyone."
Eden stepped up in Harvey's absence, having just missed the cut herself to join the US on the Olympic stage. The Annapolis native climbed the scoring leaderboard with 75 points on the year, fueling Wisconsin to the top of the regular-season WCHA standings. Both seniors are expected to be top picks in the PWHL draft, making their final weeks together all the more precious.
"I missed her a lot over the last month. But you knew she'd step up the way she did," Harvey said of Eden. "She already had been having a phenomenal season. But then to elevate it even more — [I'm] just so impressed with her play."
"Her leadership too, that's been a huge thing," she added. "She already was a leader, but even more so now, [after] having to literally put the team on her back."
Between academics with hockey, Eden had a bit of a harder time keeping up with her friend's international breakout. But she made sure to go watch the highlights every time Harvey and Edwards had a good game — a frequent occurrence.
"That's every little hockey player's dream," Eden said, smiling with pride. "To go to the Olympics, win a gold medal, and then on top of it, be the MVP. It's just insane."
"It means a lot for the sport in general," she continued. "And just shows what Wisconsin can produce, and has been producing for many years."
One Last Frozen Four Dream with Wisconsin
The time apart wasn't always easy on the Wisconsin duo. Now, however, they're focused on cultivating their best hockey during this month's NCAA postseason.
"When [Harvey and Edwards] left, that's some of our best players just out of the lineup. It was a lot to navigate," Eden said. "I can't count the number of goals that we've connected on, whether it be KK shooting for a tip for me, or hitting her at the point. It's definitely something really special when you have that dynamic with a teammate."
UScellular tapped into how much fun the two have competing at anything — Eden said that they've had pickleball paddles taken away because things were getting too heated — reflecting their on-ice bond.
"I feel lucky to be out there when she's out there," Harvey said. "She's such a heads-up player, looking for the right play, whether that's passing, shooting or an interchange. It's so exciting."
And they'll need every bit of that creativity at the 2026 Frozen Four, the final two games standing between Wisconsin and another NCAA title. The Badgers fell just short in the conference round, falling 2-1 in the WCHA final against rival Ohio State. But they've got one more shot at raising their level.
A Breakthrough Year for Women's Hockey
No matter how the weekend goes, Eden and Harvey are keenly aware that their NCAA careers are coming to a close. The pros await, with more ways than ever to make a living playing the sport they love. Women's hockey is booming after Team USA's big win in Milan, with off-ice opportunities reaching players at a rapid clip.
"It's so exciting for women's hockey in general, with a lot of eyes and attention being on it," Harvey said. "[I'm] hoping, obviously, it will be sustained and keep growing."
But with Wisconsin hockey entering the heart of the Frozen Four, Harvey and Eden also acknowledge that dreaming about the future can break focus. And they don't want anything messing with their collegiate finale.
"There is a lot of outside noise, and it can be difficult sometimes just to ignore it," Harvey said. "But the best thing to do is just lean on your teammates and stay present, be where you are with them in that moment."
Harvey's star can only rise after this year's Frozen Four. US women's hockey has made a statement, both as Olympic winners and a lightning rod in the polarizing women's sports discourse. And she'll likely need to step up as a national team leader soon, as the veterans inevitably begin to hang up their skates.
"There's going to be opinions, there's going to be people talking, things happening. But what matters is this team," Harvey said.
"It's such a short period of time, but it's going to be so exciting, and we want to be present and enjoy it fully with one another. Because we'll never, ever be the same team again."
Kim Mulkey remains one of the most polarizing figures in women's March Madness history. And she's also one of the most successful.
The LSU head coach has appeared in the NCAA tournament for more than three decades as either a player or coach, missing only two years since the women's event took flight in 1981. Her flashy style and big personality have made her impossible to ignore on college basketball's biggest stage.
Mulkey stands alone as the only person to win a national championship as a player, assistant coach and head coach. She's also the only coach in women's basketball to win titles at two different programs — Baylor in 2005, 2012, and 2019, and LSU in 2023.
Only UConn's Geno Auriemma and the late Pat Summitt of Tennessee have won more NCAA championships than Mulkey.
From Louisiana Tech to Baylor: Building a Championship Dynasty
Mulkey won an AIAW title as a point guard at Louisiana Tech in 1981, before capturing the inaugural NCAA tournament championship in 1982. The five-foot-four firebrand then earned Olympic gold with the 1984 US team before transitioning to coaching.
She took over Baylor's program in 2000 and immediately turned the Lady Bears into contenders, building a strong recruiting class while leading the program to its first championship in 2005.
Later, the 2011/12 Baylor team completed the program's only undefeated season with star center Brittney Griner anchoring the roster. That squad went wire-to-wire at No. 1 and captured the national title — the most successful team in Mulkey's career.
Mulkey's 2018/19 lineup earned the NCAA tournament's No. 1 overall seed behind future WNBA stars NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo, going on to deliver Mulkey's third championship at Baylor.
Off-Court Controversies Color March Madness Success
However, Mulkey's championship pedigree does come with some baggage. She's faced criticism for fraught relationships with former players and made controversial statements over the years.
Brittney Griner told ESPN in 2013 that Mulkey advised students to remain quiet about their sexual orientation, saying she wouldn't have approved if Griner had come out as gay during her time at Baylor. Mulkey later declined to publicly voice support Griner when the WNBA star was detained in Russia in 2022.
Mulkey also defended Baylor during a university-wide sexual assault scandal in 2017, before making derisive comments about COVID-19 precautions in 2021.
A New NCAA ERA Forces Mulkey to Modernize
In 2021, Mulkey made the surprising leap from Baylor to LSU — just as NIL deals were transforming college athletics. And she's proven more adaptable than expected within the new NCAA landscape.
LSU became a titan of NIL opportunities under Mulkey. The program remains aggressive in the transfer portal, while offering players more compensation and high-profile competition.
Mulkey has embraced Baton Rouge's culture, leaning into the school's vibrant colors and raucous crowds. But building another juggernaut has taken time in the much tougher SEC conference, where top coaches like South Carolina's Dawn Staley and Texas's Vic Schaefer are more than prepared to challenge Mulkey's March Madness dominance.
Fast-Tracking LSU's 2023 Championship Win
In 2023, Mulkey led LSU to its first national title in just her second season, despite the Tigers not being college basketball's best team all year. That distinction belonged to South Carolina — one team Mulkey's LSU has never beaten.
High-profile transfer Angel Reese and top recruit Flau'jae Johnson powered the Tigers to an unexpected March Madness run. LSU subsequently defeated Caitlin Clark's Iowa Hawkeyes in the championship game, launching Reese into superstar status and padding Mulkey's already stacked resume.
With that, the 2023 NCAA final became arguably the most influential single game in women's college basketball history.
Navigating Shifting Roles as 2026 March Madness Tips Off
While LSU's 2026 roster still features players from that 2023 championship team, Mulkey's role has shifted from conference protagonist to dark horse contender.
Mulkey doesn't schedule aggressively in nonconference play, opting for matchups against teams like Houston Christian, Marist, and Alcorn State. LSU ranks second in NCAA history this year for games scoring over 100 points, giving the transfer-heavy roster some extra cushion to gel.
The Tigers' four regular-season losses came against top-ranked SEC programs Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Texas, and South Carolina. Mulkey acknowledged the stiff competition during the 2026 SEC tournament.
"How long has Dawn been at South Carolina? 18 years? I was at Baylor for 21 years," she said. "It takes time to lay a foundation. I've been at LSU five years. We've won a national championship. We're so close."
With Johnson wrapping up her college career this April, Mulkey is expected hit the transfer portal hard to recruit the best available talent for next season.
LSU remains an unfinished product. But if one thing is true, it's that the Tigers will always deliver a show when they take the court.
And, of course, you can never count out a Kim Mulkey team once March Madness arrives.
Portland Thorns forward Sophia Wilson returned to soccer for the first time since 2024 with relatively little fanfare. She entered Portland's March 8th preseason friendly against CF Monterrey as a 75th-minute substitute — after the Thorns scored five first-half goals.
With a 4-1 Portland scoreline, Wilson didn't have much to do, but her presence felt significant. The Olympic gold medalist is getting back into form after having her daughter Gigi last September, after which she immediately began plotting her return to the pitch. During the NWSL offseason, fans could see Wilson getting in touches on social media — a clear statement of intent for an imminent comeback.
"Obviously I'm being very patient with myself," Wilson said ahead of Friday's 2026 NWSL kickoff. "I've just been so eager to get my first game minutes, so I feel like I checked that box. I feel good."
Portland's season opener against Washington shoves Wilson into an even brighter spotlight. The Thorns are eager to have Wilson back, as the club evolves under new ownership and significant personnel changes. But to find success in 2026, Portland needs their superstar — and not a moment too soon.
Wilson Ushers in a New Era for Player-Parents
Speaking with media in January, Wilson recalled feeling both excited and nervous to tell USWNT manager Emma Hayes about her pregnancy.
"It's like telling your boss that you can't work for a year," 25-year-old laughed. "But she was so happy for me… I can't say enough good things about Emma and the support that she's given me."
She credits Hayes's relationship with her own son Harry — a beloved national team mainstay — in the USWNT player pool's growing confidence around family planning. Wilson's Triple Espresso teammate Mallory Swanson also got pregnant last year, having her daughter Josie in November. And the two young moms have been happily swapping notes.
"Going through that with someone you're so close with is so special, because it's such a unique experience," Wilson said. "There's few people in our world that know what we do and have gone through that at the same time."
Wilson and Swanson also benefit from the pregnancy protections written into both the NWSL and USWNT collective bargaining agreements, gains the generation before them fought to achieve.
In the NWSL, players receive 100% of their salary while on pregnancy leave, in addition to full health insurance coverage. The USWNT's 2022 CBA states that pregnant players qualify for up to $8,333 over as many as six months. And upon their return, they receive a minimum of two senior team camp invitations (though not necessarily for major tournaments). Rather than fearing retaliation from club or country, players can make informed decisions for themselves, forever changing player health dynamics.
"My appreciation for the past moms just grows," Swanson said of the player-parents that forged the path she walks today. "I'm just so thankful for all that they fought for."
"Them coming back from pregnancy is amazing in itself, and how good Soph is looking already on the field after having her baby. I'm in awe of all the moms," said third Triple Espresso member Trinity Rodman. "It's already insane without a kid."
Wilson also credits motherhood with a change in perspective. And while her mom teammates told her that would happen, she had to experience for herself.
"I'm the same person, but I am different now," she said. "I'm a mom, and I think that's my most important title. Practice can go either way, but when you go home to your child, it's like nothing else matters."
Without professional soccer consuming her entire world, Wilson has space to rekindle the athletic artistry she's always been known for. "I think that perspective helps me on the field, because it just allows me to be more free," she continued. "I play my best soccer when I'm having fun."
Stepping Back into the NWSL Spotlight
Wilson's world no longer revolves solely around the beautiful game. But the world can't forget just how good she is with the ball at her feet.
Throughout her absence, Wilson's impact on the USWNT has loomed over international play, as Hayes continues to craft her roster ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Not ready to rejoin the team at March's SheBelieves Cup, Wilson — and Hayes — might have to settle for an April return as the US readies for a three-friendly series against Japan.
But those following Wilson's career from the start know that her US success has always been rooted in the NWSL. It's there that she's stockpiled individual and team accolades since getting drafted by the Thorns in 2020. In just five seasons, Wilson is already an NWSL MVP, final MVP, league champion, Shield winner, and Golden Boot winner.
Of course, her teammates haven't forgotten. "When you think of the Thorns, you think of Sophia," said Portland forward Reilyn Turner. "Obviously she's a big part of the heart and soul of the Thorns, and we have definitely missed her this past year."
"I just want people to be scared to play us," midfielder Olivia Moultrie added. "I want me and Sophia to be a duo that teams just do not want to have to deal with."
Wilson's timing couldn't be better. The Thorns were in constant flux this offseason, from USWNT midfielder Sam Coffey's high-profile overseas transfer to former Tottenham manager Robert Vilahamn's last-minute addition as head coach this month.
So it came as no surprise when Portland exercised its star's one-year option for a reported $1 million. But even then, the team only secured her services for one more season. And for a club struggling to figure out its new identity, that kind of uncertainty could pose existential problems.
But with Wilson on their bench, the Thorns don't appear too rattled.
"We've had maybe 30 new faces in and out of the team in the last few months," Wilson said this week. "And that's really hard to keep a high level, to keep a high standard when you have so many new faces. I just give credit to every single person who's come into this environment and put their head down and got to work."
Adapting in Her Absence: How the Thorns Evolved
Despite the chaos, there are reasons to think Portland might have actually benefitted from Wilson's leave, honing its attack to better match her upon her return.
The Thorns offense saw additional losses in 2025, after winger Morgan Weaver and young forward Caiya Hanks suffered season-ending injuries. Then Portland traded attacker Hina Sugita to Angel City, further thinning the team's attacking ranks.
Suddenly without some of their biggest offensive weapons, Turner and Moultrie had to adapt — and they pulled it off in style. The Thorns went on to finish third in the NWSL standings with the fourth-most goals scored over the course of the 2025 season.
"At first, I could only play one position, but as you know, people drop out, injuries happen, and people leave," Turner said. "To be as successful as we were, we had to move players around. I've become very versatile."
"We definitely had to face adversity in a lot of different ways," she continued. "I'm excited to get [Wilson] back, and hopefully we can get in the groove of things."
After experiencing similar growing pains, Moultrie can't wait to send backlines running, finding the space to set both herself and Wilson free on goal.
"I felt like I really came into myself in a way that I was comfortable with at the end of last year," she reflected. "And now I have someone who's really going to take the line back. The defense is going to be worried."
No matter how many goals Portland concedes this season, the team will lean on its offense to keep the results flowing and the crowd fired up. And while she'll continue being patient, Wilson can't wait to remind the world exactly who she's always been.
"I spent a year off and learned a lot about myself, who I am when I'm not playing. I think that was good for me," she said.
"But I'm excited to be back, because I am a soccer player and it's what I love to do."
Every Wednesday in February, JWS celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting a prominent Black figure in women's sports history.
Lauryn Williams stands out on the Olympic stage, retiring as one of just six athletes in the world — and the first-ever US woman — to medal at both the Summer and the Winter Games.
Born in 1983, the Pennsylvania product started her historic career as a sprinter on the track and field team at the University of Miami, qualifying for her first Olympics within weeks of graduating in 2004 — before going on to take silver in the 100-meter dash in Athens.
After failing to medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, Williams stepped away from competing for a year, returning to the track in 2011 and earning her first Olympic gold medal in 2012 as part of Team USA's 4×100-meter team in London.
The three-time World Champion sprint star then traded one track for another in the fall of 2013, pivoting to bobsledding where her speed took her to the highest echelon of the cold-weather sport.
Less than 18 months after last medaling in the Summer Games, Williams qualified to represent the USA in the two-woman bobsled on the Winter Olympics' stage, traveling to the 2014 Sochi Games where she brought home silver alongside US bobsled icon Elana Meyers Taylor.
Skyrocketing from complete bobsled novice to the Olympic podium in just six months, Williams made history 12 years ago — and to date, the 42-year-old remains the only US woman to eve earn both Summer and Winter Olympic hardware.
"Anytime I step on any track — ice track, regular track, any kind of track — my goal is to win," Williams said after her Sochi victory. "So I'm not surprised at all."
As one of the most successful nations in Olympic figure skating history, Team USA's women's figure skaters continue to make a lasting impact on the sport across all levels of competition. Starting in the 1950s, the US has produced seven women's singles Olympic gold medalists — and several athletes who shaped the sport without ever winning gold.
From mid-century pioneers like Tenley Albright to Gen Z heroes like Amber Glenn, these are the 10 most important Olympic women's figure skaters in Team USA history.
Team USA's Top Women's Figure Skaters
Tenley Albright
Tenley Albright contracted polio at age 11, subsequently defying the odds by winning Olympic silver at the 1952 Oslo Games. Four years later in Cortina, she sliced her ankle to the bone in practice days before competition but skated through the injury, becoming the first US women's figure skater to win Olympic gold. Albright also captured figure skating's first-ever triple crown, winning the World, North American, and United States ladies titles in a single year.
Going on to become the first woman to serve as a United States Olympic Committee officer, Dr. Albright was later named one of Sports Illustrated's 100 Greatest Female Athletes.
Carol Heiss
At just 15, Carol Heiss placed second behind trailblazer Tenley Albright at the 1955 World Championships. However, she went on to flip the script, taking the Worlds title from 1956 until 1960.
She similarly won silver behind Albright at the 1956 Cortina Games, before returning to win gold at the 1960 Squaw Valley Games. Though she retired shortly after winning gold, Heiss's international run of dominance cemented her as one of the most consistent performers in the sport's history.
Peggy Fleming
When a plane crash killed the entire US figure skating delegation en route to the 1961 World Championships, the athletes that remained were forced to rebuild the sport from scratch. And 19-year-old Peggy Fleming became the face of Team USA's rebuilding.
Flemming won gold at the 1968 Winter Games in Grenoble — the first Olympics broadcast live and in color to a worldwide audience. Capturing both the public's eye and the sport's top honor, Flemming's feat restored the U.S. program and turned women's figure skating into a top spectator event.
Dorothy Hamill
When Dorothy Hamill won gold at the 1976 Innsbruck Games, it brought something new to the sport: a skater the everyday fan could root for. Her signature wedge haircut became one of the most imitated styles of the decade. She also introduced the Hamill Camel — a spin variation that became part of skating's technical vocabulary — and sparked a youth figure skating boom across the entire United States.
Kristi Yamaguchi
A mid-90s household name, Kristi Yamaguchi took gold at the 1992 Winter Olympics, making her the first Asian-American woman to win an Olympic figure skating medal. The cultural milestone subsequently opened doors for the next generation.
That 1992 win saw Yamaguchi overcome one of the deepest fields in Olympic history, beating a lineup that included the first and second women to ever land triple axels in competition: Japan's Midori Ito and fellow US star Tonya Harding. The 21-year-old was reportedly inspired by her childhood hero, as legendary figure skater Dorothy Hamill approached her backstage to wish her luck — moments before Yamaguchi pulled of her gold medal-winning run.
Nancy Kerrigan
Nancy Kerrigan overcame extraordinary adversity to win silver at the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics — just weeks after being attacked at the US Figure Skating Championships. While her bronze medal at the 1992 Albertville Games established her as an elite figure skating competitor, her 1994 comeback defined her legacy on and off the ice.
Kerrigan's grace under pressure and technical precision — particularly her signature spiral sequences — inspired millions and propelled figure skating into mainstream consciousness during one of the sport's most scrutinized and memorable eras.
Michelle Kwan
Michelle Kwan stands as the most decorated figure skater in US history. Despite never winning Olympic gold, Kwan captured silver at the 1998 Nagano Games and bronze in 2002, all the while revolutionizing creative expression in women's figure skating.
Her five world championship titles and nine US national championships represent unparalleled consistency and dominance across more than a decade of elite competition. Kwan's lyrical style and emotional depth transformed artistry expectations, influencing generations of skaters who followed.
Tara Lipinski
At just 15, Tara Lipinski etched her name in Olympic figure skating history by becoming the youngest individual gold medalist at any Winter Olympics. Her groundbreaking triple loop-triple loop combination in the 1998 Nagano Games pushed the limits of the sport's physical boundaries. Lipinski's victory over favorite Michelle Kwan marked a generational shift in women's figure skating, as the field turned toward younger, more technically ambitious athletes. Currently a commentator for the 2026 Winter Olympics, Lipinski also remains the youngest world champion in history, winning the 1997 title at age 14.
Sarah Hughes
Sarah Hughes claimed gold at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics with a stunning free skate performance, rallying from fourth place after the short program to become the third US women's figure skater to ever win Olympic gold.
Hughes's calm under pressure — landing two triple-triple combinations — proved that artistic form and technical excellence could coexist at the highest level. And her upset victory over favorites Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya continues to rank among the sport's most memorable Olympic moments.
Amber Glenn
The first athlete to win three consecutive US national championships since Michelle Kwan, Amber Glenn represents figure skating's modern era. The 26-year-old Texas native also became the oldest US women's singles competitor in 98 years when she took the ice at this year's Winter Games.
Known for her athletic prowess — and consistently landing triple Axels in international competition — Glenn has emerged as an important voice for inclusivity as an openly queer athlete advocating for greater representation and equity in the sport. Furthermore, Glenn's perseverance through years of near-misses before finally capturing her first national title in 2024 epitomizes her dedication to the future of figure skating.
Every Wednesday in February, JWS celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting a prominent Black figure in women's sports history.
Mabel Fairbanks forever shaped the world of figure skating, paving the way for Black athletes despite never competing at the professional level herself.
Born in 1915 in Jacksonville, Florida, Fairbanks moved to New York as a teenager. She soon bought used skates at a pawn shop, stuffing them with cotton and teaching herself to skate in Central Park.
However, discriminatory Jim Crow-era laws barred Fairbanks from both the Olympic trials and national figure skating competitions during the 1930s. Despite rinks denying her entry because of her race, she persisted at the sport, eventually catching the eye of legendary coach and nine-time US champion Maribel Vinson Owen.
“To be the best I had to be as good as the kids who were on that [competitive] ice skating,” Fairbanks said in 1999 oral history. “I didn’t think that I would be able to compete at that time, I just wanted to be as good as they were, or even better.”
Owen helped Fairbanks refine her technique, leading her to book ice shows throughout New York during the 1940s. She appeared at venues including the Apollo Theater and the Brooklyn Academy of Music, before moving to Los Angeles and finding success with local and touring ice dance productions.
Mabel Fairbanks Shines as Olympic Figure Skating Coach
After retiring in 1948, Fairbanks transitioned to coaching and transformed the sport. Her students included Olympic and World Champions Tai Babilonia, Debi Thomas, Scott Hamilton, and Kristi Yamaguchi.
In 1997, Fairbanks made history as the first African American inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame. She received a posthumous induction into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame in October 2001.
Fairbanks died September 29th, 2001 in Burbank, California at age 85. Her legacy lives on through the champions she coached and their lasting impact on the sport of figure skating.
Every Wednesday in February, JWS celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting a prominent Black figure in women's sports history.
Team USA skier Bonnie St. John broke barriers in Innsbruck, Austria, in 1984, when she became the first-ever African-American athlete to win a Paralympic medal at the Winter Games.
A one-legged amputee from childhood, St. John taught herself to ski at 15 years old using photocopied instructions and donated gear, going on to train at Vermont's Burke Mountain Academy and later qualifying for the 1984 Games with the US Paralympic Ski Team.
There, the San Diego product took bronze in both the slalom and giant slalom races before winning silver for overall performance across the three alpine skiing disciplines — making her the world's second fastest woman on one leg that year.
Following her athletic career, St. John graduated from Harvard and became a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University, then later served as director for the National Economic Council under President Clinton and launched a career in corporate leadership.
"I'm not only just a role model to say, 'See what I did, you can do it, too,' but to actually give people the tools and the techniques and the research to understand how to break through those barriers," St. John said. "I love that I get to do that."
The 2026 Winter Olympics have officially arrived. After years of planning, the world's best on snow and ice are descending upon Northern Italy for the Milano-Cortina Games.
And in addition to all the normal reasons to celebrate, the 2026 Olympics will feature a record-breaking 47% participation rate for women's sports athletes — the largest in Winter Games history.
From the streets of Milan to the peaks of Cortina d'Ampezzo, here is everything you need to know about the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Basics: 2026 Winter Olympics Schedule in Milano-Cortina
Dates
The Winter Olympics schedule runs from February 6th through February 22nd, 2026, with preliminary ice hockey matches beginning February 4th.
Location
The Winter Games will take over Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, with additional venues in Valtellina, Val di Fiemme, and Anterselva.
Time Difference
Italy is six hours ahead of New York (ET) and nine hours ahead of Los Angeles (PT).
Opening and Closing Ceremonies
The Opening Ceremony takes place on February 6th at Milan's San Siro Stadium, with the Closing Ceremony capping things off at the historic Verona Arena on February 22nd.
Women's Sports Stars and Storylines Headlining the Winter Olympics Schedule
From figure skating to ice hockey, here are the buzziest Olympic names and most compelling narratives playing out in Milan.
Mikaela Shiffrin (USA, Alpine Skiing)
The sport's undisputed GOAT enters the 2026 Games as the winningest alpine skier of all time. And after a dominant 2025 season, Mikaela Shiffrin has emerged as the gold-medal favorite in both the Slalom and Giant Slalom events. According to the Winter Olympics schedule, alpine skiing runs February 8th through the 22nd at Cortina's Tofane Alpine Skiing Centre. Tune in to see if she can add to her growing legacy as the most decorated skier in history.
Lindsey Vonn (USA, Alpine Skiing)
The most talked-about comeback in sports is finally hitting the Olympic stage. At 41, Lindsey Vonn has overcome the odds — and a partial knee replacement — to return to the slopes in winning fashion. To complicate matters, Vonn tore her ACL just last week, but the five-time Olympian says she'll still compete despite the injury. Regardless of her performance in Milan, her presence alone has already redefined perceptions of veteran athletes in high-impact sports.
Chloe Kim (USA, Snowboarding)
25-year-old Team USA favorite Chloe Kim is chasing a historic three-peat in the women's snowboard halfpipe. Already the first women's snowboarder to win back-to-back golds in the event, Kim remains the technical standard-bearer for the sport — though her performance in Milan might hinge on her health, as she continues to recover from a recent shoulder injury. The snowboarding competition runs February 8th through the 16th in Livigno.
Eileen Gu (China, Freestyle Skiing)
Following a triple-medal performance in Beijing, China's Eileen Gu returns to the Games as a global icon. With high marks in Halfpipe, Slopestyle, and Big Air, the 22-year-old remains one of the most versatile — and promising — threats on powder.
Amber Glenn (USA, Figure Skating)
Known for explosive athleticism, captivating storytelling, and a powerful triple Axel, Amber Glenn is a cornerstone of the US figure skating team. Becoming the first openly queer woman to win a senior US title after picking up gold at the 2026 US Championships, Glenn's journey to the 2026 Games makes for especially good TV and even better on-ice competition. Figure skating events take place February 7th through the 21st at Milano Ice Skating Arena.
Kaori Sakamoto (Japan, Figure Skating)
The reigning queen of consistency, Kaori Sakamoto is a widely expected contender in the women's figure skating field. Armed with immense speed and technical precision, the 25-year-old enters 2026 looking to add an elusive individual gold medal to her resume.
Women's Ice Hockey
Marking the first Winter Olympics of the PWHL era, expect rosters across the field to be deeper and more game-ready than ever before. Most storylines will undoubtedly revolve around Canada and Team USA's heated rivalry, led by longtime captains Hilary Knight (USA) and Marie-Philip Poulin (Canada).
But count on European powerhouses like Finland and Czechia to close the competitive gap thanks to the sport's overall professionalization. Women's ice hockey is set to take over the Winter Olympics schedule from February 5th through the 19th.
New Events Debuting at the 2026 Winter Games
The IOC introduced several new medal events this year, primarily in an effort to improve gender parity throughout the Games.
Ski Mountaineering (AKA Skimo)
A high-endurance sport that involves racing up mountains on skis using specialized skins for grip, covering steep terrain on foot, and cruising quickly through backcountry.
Women's Individual Large Hill (AKA Ski Jumping)
This February, women's sports athletes will additionally compete on the same high-altitude, long-distance jump hills as the men's event, moving beyond the traditional Normal Hill.
Women's Doubles Luge
This sled racing event features two women sharing a single sled, navigating an icy track at speeds exceeding 80 MPH.
Freestyle Dual Moguls
This freestyle skiing event showcases two athletes racing side-by-side down a mogul-studded slope, picking up points for speed, technical turns, and aerial tricks in a head-to-head knockout format.
How to Watch the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano-Cortina
NBC and Peacock have signed on as the exclusive broadcasters of the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Peacock will offer 24-hour livestreamed coverage of the complete Winter Olympics schedule, while NBC and USA Network subsequently handle primetime action as well as highlights.
Every Wednesday in February, JWS celebrates Black History Month by spotlighting a prominent Black figure in women's sports history.
More than 20 years ago, Team USA bobsledder Vonetta Flowers changed the Olympics forever, becoming the first Black athlete — in any sport, from any country — to win a Winter Games gold medal when her team topped the podium in Salt Lake City in at the 2002.
Originally a standout sprinter and long jumper at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Flowers turned her track and field dreams into bobsled success by transitioning to become a brakeman for the 2002 USA team, earning gold in the inaugural Olympic women's bobsled event alongside driver Jill Bakken.
After giving birth to twins, Flowers returned to the bobsled track to compete with driver Jean Racine-Prahm and the pair raced to bronze at the 2004 World Championships before finishing sixth at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
Retiring after the 2006 Games, Flowers blazed a trail for Black women in winter sports all the way to Team USA's 2026 flag bearer, Olympic champion speed skater Erin Jackson.
The 2022 US flag bearer, 41-year-old bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor — already the most decorated Black athlete in Winter Olympics history before competing in her fifth straight Games this month — counts Flowers as an inspiration.
"Vonetta Flowers is the reason I'm here," Meyers Taylor said after winning both silver and bronze in Beijing in 2022.
"It's just been such a long legacy of Black athletes at the Winter Olympics and hopefully it just continues."