Print
Close
American Olympian disqualified from ski jumping competition over equipment issue
By Ryan Gaydos
Published February 16, 2026
American ski jumper Annika Belshaw was hit with a disqualification for a similar reason as Austria’s Daniel Tschofenig was at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Belshaw was disqualified from the women’s large hill competition for having skis that were too long. Officials determined that her ski length was 1 centimeter over the correct size. She was set to compete in the finals after making it past the qualifying round.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Annika Belshaw, of the United States, soars through the air during her trial jump of the ski jumping women's large hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
But her hopes of possibly getting to the podium were dashed.
Norway’s Anna Odine Strom and Eirin Maria Kvandal picked up gold and silver medals respectively. Slovenia’s Nika Prevc got the bronze medal.
Belshaw, 23, was competing in her first Olympic Games. She was named the 2022 Ski Jumping Athlete of the Year by the U.S. Ski and Snowboard federation. She competed in the normal hill competition and finished in 21st.
ILIA MALININ HINTS AT INTENSE OLYMPIC PRESSURE DAYS AFTER UNEXPECTED RESULT
Annika Belshaw, of the United States, walks away after her final round jump of the ski jumping women's large hill individual at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
The U.S. also finished in seventh place in the mixed team normal hill event.
A similar incident occurred with Tschofenig.
The Austrian star was disqualified from the event as his boots didn’t meet Olympic requirements. His boots were four millimeters over the standard.
Annika Belshaw, of the United States, brakes in the finish area during her first round jump of the ski jumping women's normal hill individual, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Predazzo, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
"I used new shoes in training, which, by the way, I wasn't very happy with, but I kept them," he told AFP. "Unfortunately, I was naive and didn't check the sizes. That was incredibly stupid of me."
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/american-olympian-disqualified-from-ski-jumping-competition-over-equipment-issue