2x Olympian Caroline Claire Retires from Competitive Freeskiing
Two-time Olympian Caroline Claire officially announces her retirement from competitive freeskiing.
Born in Edina, Minnesota, and later moving to Manchester Center, Vermont and attending Stratton Mountain School, Caroline has been skiing since she could walk.
Caroline broke onto the scene in 2014 after winning the USASA nationals and only excelled from there. In her 2015-16 season, she competed in the Junior World Championships (JWC) nabbing a bronze medal, and then later that season found herself on top of two podiums at the Revolution Tour. Then, in 2017, she earned another bronze at JWC. She has competed in two Olympic Winter Games—PyeongChang 2018 and Beijing 2022—has six World Cup podiums, and was recognized as Female Breakthrough Skier of the Year at the 2020 Newschoolers Awards.
We caught up with Caroline recently and were fortunate enough to hear her thoughts on retiring.
What has your experience been like on the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team?
I’ve been on the U.S. team since I was 15 so it’s pretty eye-opening now to realize I’ve spent all of my adult years as part of this program. My best friends are the girls I traveled with and competed with for the last two Olympic cycles. Being on the team was a kick in the butt in terms of growing up fast, but I wouldn’t trade these eight years for anything. Through successes, injuries and failures, I’ve felt the staff’s support through it all. Without the support of physical therapists and athletic trainers like Jen Kimball, Sara Chavez and Robyn Hase, I wouldn’t be where I am today: healthy and happy.
How are you feeling about announcing your retirement?
This has been something I have felt at peace with for a while. After suffering a torn ACL at the 2022 Beijing Olympic Winter Games, I made the decision with the support of my coaches to take last season off from competition. This season proved to be one of the most enlightening I’ve ever had. I took the time to discover new passions and throw myself into being a student full-time and I’m so happy the team allowed me to take a physical and mental break.
What are you excited about in the next chapter of your life?
While it's sad to think I won’t ever put a bib on again, I’m so excited for the future. I’ll be finishing up school and skiing as much as possible here in Utah. I’m hoping to take some time to travel and explore new parts of my skiing as well. I took a little bit of time to film last season and have some plans for some filming with fellow Stifel U.S. Freeski Team alum Devin Logan this season. I’m most grateful for the position the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team has allowed me to be in at this point in my life. I get to leave the sport as a two-time Olympian who is still young and healthy and has other passions waiting to be explored.
Caroline is an integral part of freeskiing culture and will be missed on the Stifel U.S. Freeski Team. She continues to receive an outpouring of love and support from current and former teammates and coaches.
"Caroline reminds me of my younger self. Eager, hardworking and an outspoken East Coast girl, we became extremely close throughout our years on the team together and still are to this day,” said former Stifel U.S. Freeski Team athlete and Olympic silver medalist Devin Logan. “Having a very similar upbringing with growing up on Long Island, skiing out of Mt. Snow with the same coaches, we were always able to relate to each other. I know Caroline is going to thrive with whatever the future holds for her. I wish her all the best and a huge congratulations on her outstanding skiing career!”
“Carol has had an incredible competitive career, and has been an integral part of our team,” said Stifel U.S. Freeski Team slopestyle team head coach, Dave Euler. “Her determination, grit and high standard for herself stands out to me. She would get countless reps on her tricks until they looked and felt how she envisioned them. She skis with great style and flow that helped her achieve two Olympic games, six World Cup podiums and X Games appearances. Carol has grown immensely as a skier and person off the slopes over the years and she has so much to be proud of. I’m excited to see what amazing things she does next!”