Colorado University Athletics
Two More Buffs Earn Olympic Berths for Milan–Cortina 2026
January 21, 2026 | Skiing
BOULDER – Two athletes with University of Colorado ties are headed to the world's biggest stage, as former CU Ski Team member Alvar Alev and CU Boulder alum Svea Irving have each earned selection to their respective national teams for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina.
Irving, a Winter Park native and CU Boulder graduate, will represent the United States in women's freeski halfpipe, while Alev, a former Buff standout, is set to compete for Estonia in cross-country skiing in his second Olympic appearance.
Alvar Alev — Estonia Cross-Country Skiing
Alev returns to the Olympic stage after earning selection to represent Estonia in cross-country skiing for the second time in his career.
The Estonian distance specialist previously competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, making his Olympic debut in the skiathlon. He enters the 2026 Games as a veteran of international competition, having spent more than a decade racing at the World Cup level.
Alev skied collegiately at the University of Colorado, where he was a three-time All-American and a consistent scorer for the Buffs during his NCAA career. He excelled across multiple disciplines during his time in Boulder, helping solidify CU's reputation as one of the nation's premier Nordic programs.
Now competing again on the Olympic stage, Alev becomes one of a select group of former Buffs to represent their home countries in multiple Winter Games, continuing a long tradition of CU-connected athletes succeeding at the international level.
Svea Irving — U.S. Freeski Halfpipe
A lifelong skier who grew up just miles from the slopes of Winter Park, Irving has steadily risen to the elite level of international freeskiing, culminating in her first Olympic selection.
Irving put together a breakout run on the World Cup circuit, recording top-five finishes throughout the 2024–25 season and securing multiple podium results, including a third-place finish at a World Cup stop in Calgary. Her consistency across the season proved decisive in earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
She previously announced herself on the world stage with a bronze medal at the 2023 Aspen X Games, her first X Games podium, and has continued to build momentum since. Known for her technical execution and amplitude in the halfpipe, Irving has become one of the most reliable performers in the U.S. women's program.
Away from competition, Irving is a University of Colorado Boulder graduate with a degree in Strategic Communications. She has also pursued creative projects within the sport, including the release of her first ski film, Stasis, highlighting her versatility both inside and outside the halfpipe.
More Buffs Bound for Milan–Cortina
Irving and Alev become the fourth and fifth known Buffs to earn Olympic nominations or berths this winter, joining Joanne Reid (biathlon, Team USA), Ryder Sarchett (alpine skiing, Team USA) and Jakob Moch (cross-country skiing, Germany).
Together, the group continues a long-standing tradition of University of Colorado representation on the Olympic stage across multiple disciplines and nations.
By the Numbers
Irving, a Winter Park native and CU Boulder graduate, will represent the United States in women's freeski halfpipe, while Alev, a former Buff standout, is set to compete for Estonia in cross-country skiing in his second Olympic appearance.
Alvar Alev — Estonia Cross-Country Skiing
Alev returns to the Olympic stage after earning selection to represent Estonia in cross-country skiing for the second time in his career.
The Estonian distance specialist previously competed at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, making his Olympic debut in the skiathlon. He enters the 2026 Games as a veteran of international competition, having spent more than a decade racing at the World Cup level.
Alev skied collegiately at the University of Colorado, where he was a three-time All-American and a consistent scorer for the Buffs during his NCAA career. He excelled across multiple disciplines during his time in Boulder, helping solidify CU's reputation as one of the nation's premier Nordic programs.
Now competing again on the Olympic stage, Alev becomes one of a select group of former Buffs to represent their home countries in multiple Winter Games, continuing a long tradition of CU-connected athletes succeeding at the international level.
Svea Irving — U.S. Freeski Halfpipe
A lifelong skier who grew up just miles from the slopes of Winter Park, Irving has steadily risen to the elite level of international freeskiing, culminating in her first Olympic selection.
Irving put together a breakout run on the World Cup circuit, recording top-five finishes throughout the 2024–25 season and securing multiple podium results, including a third-place finish at a World Cup stop in Calgary. Her consistency across the season proved decisive in earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic team.
She previously announced herself on the world stage with a bronze medal at the 2023 Aspen X Games, her first X Games podium, and has continued to build momentum since. Known for her technical execution and amplitude in the halfpipe, Irving has become one of the most reliable performers in the U.S. women's program.
Away from competition, Irving is a University of Colorado Boulder graduate with a degree in Strategic Communications. She has also pursued creative projects within the sport, including the release of her first ski film, Stasis, highlighting her versatility both inside and outside the halfpipe.
More Buffs Bound for Milan–Cortina
Irving and Alev become the fourth and fifth known Buffs to earn Olympic nominations or berths this winter, joining Joanne Reid (biathlon, Team USA), Ryder Sarchett (alpine skiing, Team USA) and Jakob Moch (cross-country skiing, Germany).
Together, the group continues a long-standing tradition of University of Colorado representation on the Olympic stage across multiple disciplines and nations.
By the Numbers
- Alvar Alev becomes the 15th former CU Ski Team member to make at least a second Olympic appearance
- Svea Irving's selection brings the total number of known Winter Olympians among CU Boulder students to 61
- Those 61 CU Boulder Winter Olympians will now account for at least 92 Olympic appearances
- Irving is the sixth known freestyle skier from CU Boulder to compete in the Winter Olympics
- Alev is the only former CU skier from Estonia to compete in the Olympic Games
- CU Boulder students have now represented 14 different countries in the Winter Olympics
- Irving is the 44th CU Boulder student to represent the United States in the Winter Olympics
- Those 44 U.S. Olympians from CU Boulder have combined for 72 Olympic appearances
Players Mentioned
NORDIC
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