Key Highlights
- Zoe Atkin aims for Winter Olympics gold in Milano-Cortina.
- Atkin finished ninth in Beijing but is now a reigning world champion.
- A sibling rivalry drives Atkin’s motivation to outperform her sister Izzy’s Pyeongchang bronze.
- The 2026 Games are just two weeks away for Britain’s leading freeskier.
Winter Olympics: The Pressure of the Past
Zoe Atkin, a 23-year-old British freeskiing sensation, is gearing up for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. This event marks her second Games after an initial disappointment in Beijing four years ago.
Atkin, who qualified top scorer in half-pipe qualifying, is among the favorites to claim gold. The defending champion Eileen Gu of China will be a formidable opponent, coming in fifth place in the qualifiers.
A Tale of Two Games
The contrast between Atkin’s first and second Winter Olympics is stark. Four years ago, she struggled in Beijing, finishing ninth despite being a rising star with a promising future ahead. That experience, however, has given her invaluable insights that have helped her rise to the top.
Now, as a Stanford student and reigning world champion, Atkin approaches the Games with greater confidence and determination. Her performance at the X Games earlier this year, where she secured gold, is a testament to her improved skills and mindset.
Sibling Rivalry: A Motivational Force
Atkin’s motivation extends beyond personal achievement; it is fueled by sibling rivalry with her older sister Izzy. Izzy won Britain’s first Olympic medal in skiing at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games, a bronze in freeski slopestyle.
“Definitely, we have a little bit of a sibling rivalry going on,” Atkin says. “She was a really big role model for me growing up. There is also that competitiveness.
I feel like every time I win a medal that’s better than the medal that she won, I’m like, ‘Haha, I beat you’! It’s kind of the running joke that she has the Olympic medal and I don’t.”
Atkin hopes to match or surpass Izzy’s achievement. Her sister’s bronze now hangs on a trophy shelf in their family home, serving as both inspiration and motivation.
A Hot Favorite for Gold
The 2026 Games are set to begin soon, just two weeks away from the moment Atkin takes center stage in Livigno. Her performance at the qualifiers suggests she is well-prepared. With a mix of personal ambition and sibling rivalry driving her, Atkin stands as Britain’s strongest medal prospect.
Despite the pressure of the Olympics, Atkin remains focused on the skiing itself. “I think that I’ve always put the Olympics on that kind of pedestal,” she reflects. “It would really mean a lot to me to have an Olympic medal.”
Zoe Atkin’s journey is one of perseverance and growth. As the countdown to Milano-Cortina continues, her story serves as a reminder of what can be achieved through dedication and hard work.
