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Mexico’s Sarah Schleper, 46, and Son Lasse Gaxiola Become First Mother–Son Pair at Winter Olympics

Their races take place at separate venues on staggered days.

Lasse Gaxiola, representing Mexico and the son of Sarah Schleper, both competing in Cortina, poses for a picture ahead of the alpine skiing race at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, February 10, 2026. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse

Overview

  • Schleper is contesting her seventh Olympics, becoming the oldest female Alpine skier to compete and the first athlete reported to appear at seven Winter Games.
  • Lasse Gaxiola, 18, makes his Olympic debut for Mexico in Alpine skiing.
  • Schleper races the super-G on Thursday and the giant slalom on Sunday in Cortina d'Ampezzo, while Gaxiola competes in giant slalom on Saturday and slalom on Monday in Bormio.
  • Schleper carried Mexico’s flag at the opening ceremony after previously competing in four Olympics for the United States before switching nationality through marriage and returning to competition in 2015.
  • She emphasizes she is competing, citing a recent FIS super-G top five in Vail and two 2024 giant slalom wins; her coach is Hubertus von Hohenlohe, and Gaxiola is coached on site by his father, Federico.