“This Is Insane!” Mother and Son Make History at Winter Olympics, And She’s 46
Sarah Schleper and Lasse Gaxiola just did something no family has ever done in Winter Games history
February 16, 2026 | 3 min read
CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — The 2026 Winter Olympics already had drama, triumph, and heartbreak. But nothing quite like this.
For the first time in Winter Games history, a mother and son competed together on the same Olympic stage.
American-born skier Sarah Schleper, 46—competing for Mexico—and her 18-year-old son Lasse Gaxiola just pulled off something no family has ever done.
| Family Member | Age | Country | Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Schleper | 46 | Mexico | Super-G, Giant Slalom |
| Lasse Gaxiola | 18 | Mexico | Giant Slalom, Slalom |
They didn’t just appear in the same Games—they competed in overlapping disciplines, sharing the slopes, the pressure, and the history .
Sarah Schleper
This wasn’t Schleper’s first rodeo. Far from it.
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Olympic appearances | 7 (most ever by a female alpine skier) |
| Oldest female alpine skier | In Olympic history |
| Countries represented | USA (2002–2014), Mexico (2018–2026) |
At 46, she’s still flying down mountains that would terrify athletes half her age. Her super-G run didn’t qualify, but the giant slalom gave her—and her son—a chance to share the Olympic experience .
Lasse Gaxiola
For Lasse, skiing isn’t just a sport—it’s a family tradition.
“I’ve basically been on skis since I could walk,” he said in a pre-Games interview.
Competing in both giant slalom and slalom, the 18-year-old carried the weight of the Mexican flag—and the surreal experience of having his mom in the same athlete village .
Imagine qualifying for the Olympics. Now imagine looking across the start gate and seeing your mother.
That’s exactly what happened in Cortina.
While they competed in different events, their paths crossed in the most meaningful way possible: both representing Mexico, both chasing Olympic dreams, both part of the same historic footnote .
| Significance | Impact |
|---|---|
| First mother-son duo | In Winter Olympics history |
| Schleper’s longevity | 7 Games, 24 years apart |
| Dual citizenship story | USA → Mexico, expanding the sport |
| Age barrier shattered | 46 and still elite |
This isn’t just a feel-good story. It’s a testament to how far athletic careers can stretch—and how family bonds can transcend competition .
Schleper has already cemented her legacy: seven Olympics, two countries, one historic moment with her son.
For Lasse, this is just the beginning. At 18, he has decades of potential ahead. But no matter how many Games he competes in, none will ever top the one he shared with his mom.
As for the rest of the Olympics? They’ll keep churning out medals and records. But the image of a mother and son, both wearing Mexico’s colors, both chasing the same impossible dream? That’s the kind of history no gold medal can capture.