Red Gerard, an accomplished snowboarder from Silverthorne, is set to make his mark once again at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games. With the men’s snowboard slopestyle event commencing on Monday, February 16, Gerard is poised to compete alongside fellow Summit County rider Jake Canter, who will be participating in his first Olympics.
The journey to this moment has been transformational for both Red and his family. Back in December 2017, when Red, then just 17, had already qualified for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, his focus was more on backcountry snowboarding than on preparing for the prestigious events. Concerned about his preparation, Jen and Conrad Gerard, his parents, had a heart-to-heart with him, emphasizing the life-changing potential of the Olympics. Their guidance proved to be influential, as Red went on to win the gold medal in slopestyle in 2018, propelling him into stardom.
This year, Red’s family has rallied around him once more, with 56 friends and family members traveling to Italy to support him. Their presence is a stark contrast to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, where no fans were allowed to attend. The family has not only expanded since 2019 but has also created a festive atmosphere in Italy, cherishing moments together while supporting Red.
The men’s slopestyle event is stacked with talent, including Canada’s Mark McMorris, a three-time Olympic medalist, who will compete despite a recent injury. Other notable competitors include Chinese rider Su Yiming, who won silver in the previous Olympics and a host of skilled Japanese snowboarders. Both Red and Canter enter the competition after commendable performances leading up to the Olympics, including Red’s X Games successes.
As Red faces heightened expectations and increased sponsorships, the essence of his passion for snowboarding remains. Despite the professional demands, his love for the sport endures, as both his growth as an athlete and his journey with family continue to shape him.
In this new chapter of the Olympics, Red Gerard sets out not just to compete, but to honor his journey and the support of his loved ones, highlighting the camaraderie, growth, and joy that snowboarding has brought to his life.