Anabelle Zurbay Reflects on “Insanely Amazing” Winter Olympics Debut
As the Winter Olympics draw to a close, Ireland’s Anabelle Zurbay has shared her exhilaration and gratitude for her “insanely amazing” experience at the Games in Italy. The 17-year-old, who made history as the youngest Irish athlete to compete in Alpine Skiing at the Olympics, was one of four athletes representing Team Ireland. Alongside Ben Lynch, Cormac Comerford, and Thomas Maloney Westgård, Anabelle showcased the nation’s talent across Alpine Skiing, Freestyle Skiing, and Cross Country Skiing.
Concluding her first Olympic campaign, Anabelle expressed her immense satisfaction at completing all her scheduled runs. “It’s been pretty overwhelming, but it’s a really great experience just to be here and to ski,” she told the Irish Independent. “I think just the whole thing has been a highlight, honestly. The village, really great training in Bormio and then pushing out of the start here, it’s all been insanely amazing.” The sheer scale of the event was not lost on her, with the young skier admitting, “Just looking out at the crowd, it’s super insane that you’re the one on the hill and not the one in the stands. It’s mind-blowing.”
In her Slalom event, Anabelle finished 48th overall, recording a combined time of 1:58:50 across her four races. The event was dominated by Mikaela Shiffrin of the USA, who clinched gold with a swift 1:39:10, followed by Switzerland’s Camille Rast for silver and Sweden’s Anna Swenn Larsson securing the bronze.
Meet Anabelle Zurbay: A Rising Star
Born in December 2008, Anabelle Zurbay, affectionately known as Annie, is a fresh face on the international sporting scene. Her participation in the Winter Olympics marks a significant milestone, not just for her, but for Irish winter sports.
The Gen Z athlete is still navigating her secondary education, but her commitment to her Olympic dream has been met with understanding from her teachers. “In my school, it’s actually kind of normal to become an Olympian,” Annie explained. “I’m one of three from my school, I think this year across multiple different nations. So most of my teachers are pretty accommodating with my busy schedule.”
An Irish Connection Across the Atlantic
Though born and raised in Vail, Colorado, a renowned skiing hub in the United States, Anabelle proudly represents Ireland through her maternal lineage. Her grandmother, Rosaline, who hails from Rosemount in County Westmeath, is a significant source of inspiration and support. “She’s always been one of my biggest supporters,” Anabelle shared about her grandmother’s pride in her Olympic journey.
Anabelle has visited the Emerald Isle on two occasions: first in 2018 for a family wedding, and more recently in October 2025 during a school break. These visits have deepened her connection to her Irish heritage.
A Lifelong Passion for the Slopes
Anabelle’s affinity for skiing is deeply ingrained, with a family history steeped in the sport. Both of her parents were accomplished ski racers in college, and it was through this shared passion that they met. The family’s unwavering support has been instrumental in Annie’s pursuit of her Olympic aspirations.
Her journey on skis began almost as soon as she could walk. “I’ve been skiing since I could walk,” she recounted. “I actually started skiing in Minnesota. Both of my parents were ski racers in college, and they met through skiing. They were coaches and when I turned six, I started racing. Then right before COVID, my family, including my brother, we moved out to Colorado because it was getting a bit more serious than what Minnesota could offer.”
Her older brother has also played a crucial role in her development, offering guidance and coaching. “He has always helped me and coached me through it all. Especially with the basics,” she added.
Beyond the Ski Slopes: A Talented Gymnast
While skiing commands a significant portion of her training time, Anabelle is also a gifted gymnast. This marks her first year not competing in gymnastics, a sport she has been involved in since the age of six.
“I’m also a gymnast. This is my first year I haven’t competed (in gymnastics), but I’ve also been competing in that since I was six. So this would have been my eleventh season, but I haven’t quite been able to have my normal schedule,” she explained. Her training regimen was demanding, often involving a dash from school to gymnastics practice. “Usually, I train in the summers, and I go to gymnastics right after school. I rush my butt over there because it usually starts at 16:30 until like 19:15,” she recalled with a laugh. “Back in Minnesota, we did night training for skiing, so I would kind of go every other night for gymnastics. That was really intense.”
Adding another layer to her athletic prowess, Anabelle attends the same gymnastics club as Olympic gold medallist Suni Lee and trains with Lee’s younger sister.
Anabelle’s Olympic Events
Anabelle Zurbay competed in the Alpine Skiing discipline at the Winter Olympics, focusing on the technical events of Slalom and Giant Slalom, with the latter being her favoured discipline.
Her Olympic schedule was as follows:
- 15 Feb: Anabelle Zurbay – Giant Slalom Run 1 & 2 (Alpine Skiing), Cortina. Broadcast on RTÉ Player from 8:50 am to 11:05 am and 12:20 pm to 2:10 pm.
- 18 Feb: Anabelle Zurbay – Slalom Run 1 & 2 (Alpine Skiing), Cortina. Broadcast on RTÉ Player from 8:50 am to 11:05 am and 12:20 pm to 2:10 pm.
Irish viewers had the opportunity to watch the 2026 Winter Olympic Games live on RTÉ Sport.
