Lindsey Jacobellis, the 40-year-old Olympic gold medalist, will trade her board for a microphone at the 2026 Winter Games in Turin.
Stepping Off the Board
Jacobellis, who recently welcomed a daughter named Ayla, has decided to skip a run for another Olympics. Instead she will serve as an analyst for snowboardcross on NBC’s announcing team in Italy. The decision to take a year off was described by her as difficult.
A New Role in the Broadcast Booth
“I sat down with my agent, my husband, we weighted the pros and cons,” Jacobellis 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.”
Her move to the booth follows years of TV work for both surfing and snowboarding. She will provide analysis for a sport she has dominated for nearly two decades.
Legacy and Achievements
Jacobellis has earned 31 World Cup titles, six world championships and two Olympic gold medals, making her the best ever in snowboardcross. She made her Olympic debut in 2006 in Italy, where she famously performed the “Lindsey Leap” and finished second after a fall.
At the last Olympics, she captured her first gold medal and later won a mixed-team event with Nick Baumgartner. After that victory, she told reporters, “Don’t count the old girl out.”
Personal Reflections
She clarified that her move to the booth is not a retirement. “Life doesn’t work that way,” she said. “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.”
NBC’s Expanded Coverage
NBC’s action-sports coverage for the Games also announced a new lineup of commentators. Todd Harris will provide play-by-play, Todd Richards will cover snowboard events, Tom Wallisch will handle freeskiing, and Tina Dixon will report and conduct interviews.
Key Takeaways
- Jacobellis will serve as NBC analyst for snowboardcross in Turin.
- She has 31 World Cup titles, six world championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
- The move is not a retirement; she plans to focus on her daughter for the next six months to a year.
Lindsey Jacobellis’s transition from competitor to commentator marks a new chapter in her storied career, allowing her to share her expertise with fans while embracing a new role in the world of Olympic sports broadcasting.
