Lindsey Jacobellis, the 40-year-old Olympic snowboard champion, has turned her competitive fire into a new kind of commentary as she steps behind the NBC booth for the upcoming Winter Games in Italy.
A New Role for a Legendary Athlete
Jacobellis, who recently welcomed a daughter named Ayla, has decided to skip a run for yet another Olympics and instead serve as an analyst for snowboardcross on NBC’s announcing team in Italy. The 40-year-old, whose 31 World Cup titles, six world championships and two Olympic gold medals make her the best ever in her discipline, will bring a depth of experience that few commentators can match. She has already done TV work for both surfing and snowboarding, and her move to the booth follows a career that has dominated the sport for the better part of two decades.
The Decision Behind the Move
The decision to take a year off from competition was described by Jacobellis as difficult. “I sat down with my agent, my husband, we weighted the pros and cons,” she said. “I am a competitor and I do like to compete but competition could potentially always be there. And these early years with my daughter, those are limited. I had to make a decision. Those decisions are hard. Being an adult is hard.”
She emphasized that the choice was driven by her commitment to her daughter’s early years. “I want to give at least this first six months to a year to, totally, Ayla,” she added. The athlete made it clear that she is not calling her move to the booth a retirement and does not believe an athlete’s career arc is defined by four-year periods marked by the Olympics.
NBC’s Winter Olympics Coverage
Alongside Jacobellis, NBC announced a lineup of seasoned commentators for its action-sports coverage. Todd Harris will handle play-by-play duties, while Todd Richards will provide snowboard commentary. Tom Wallisch will cover freeskiing, and Tina Dixon will take on reporting and interviews. Jacobellis will offer analysis for snowboardcross, a discipline she has mastered over her career.
The team’s composition reflects NBC’s commitment to delivering expert insight across the Winter Games. Jacobellis’s presence adds a unique perspective, given her status as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and her long history in the sport.
A Career in the Spotlight
Jacobellis’s Olympic debut came in Italy in 2006, when she performed the infamous “Lindsey Leap”-a flashy jump and grab as she coasted down the homestretch with a big lead. The move ended in a fall, and she finished second. At the most recent Olympics, she finally earned her gold medal, then added another win in the mixed-team event with Nick Baumgartner.
After that victory, when asked for the moral of the story, Jacobellis said, “Don’t count the old girl out.” She also noted that she is not retiring but rather adapting to life’s demands. “Life doesn’t work that way,” she explained. “You adapt and bend to life. It’s calling an audible every day. I’m enjoying learning this new time in my life. I want to enjoy that time. I’ve given over 20 years to this sport, solely focusing on my career and racing. I want to give at least this first six months to a year to, totally, Ayla.”
Her career, spanning more than two decades, has seen her amass 31 World Cup titles, six world championships, and two Olympic gold medals. The athlete’s decision to step into broadcasting marks a new chapter while still honoring her legacy in the sport.
Personal Reflections
Jacobellis reflected on the balance between competition and family, stressing that early years with a child are limited. She described the process of weighing pros and cons with her agent and husband as a pivotal moment in her life. The athlete’s candid comments about adulthood and decision-making add depth to her public persona.
She also highlighted that she is not retiring but instead choosing a different way to stay connected to snowboarding. By moving into analysis, she will continue to influence the sport while dedicating time to her daughter.
Key Takeaways
- Lindsey Jacobellis will serve as NBC analyst for snowboardcross during the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
- The 40-year-old has 31 World Cup titles, six world championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
- Jacobellis chose to step back from competition to focus on her daughter, Ayla, while remaining active in the sport through broadcasting.
Lindsey Jacobellis’s transition from athlete to analyst underscores her enduring passion for snowboarding and her commitment to family. As the Winter Games approach, fans will watch her bring her competitive insight to the NBC booth, offering a fresh perspective on the sport she has shaped for over twenty years.
