Lindsey Jacobellis, the 40‑year‑old Olympic gold‑medalist, will trade the snowboards for the studio, joining NBC’s Italian announcing team as a snowboardcross analyst for the Paris Games.
Career Highlights
Jacobellis’ résumé is staggering. She has collected 31 World Cup titles, six world championships and two Olympic gold medals, making her the most decorated athlete in her discipline.
Beyond the podium, she has recently welcomed a daughter, Ayla, and said she has decided to skip a run for another Olympics to focus on her growing family.
Decision Process
The decision was not made lightly. Jacobellis explained that she sat down with her agent and her husband, weighing the pros and cons before arriving at a choice.
“I sat down with my agent, my husband, we weighted the pros and cons,” Jacobellis said. “I am a competitor and I do like to compete, but competition could potentially always be there. And these early years with my daughter, those are limited. I had to make a decision. Those decisions are hard. Being an adult is hard.”
NBC Lineup
NBC’s action‑sports coverage for the Games will feature a strong lineup. Todd Harris will provide play‑by‑play, Todd Richards will cover snowboard, Tom Wallisch will handle freeskiing, and Tina Dixon will report and interview athletes.
Jacobellis has already dabbled in television, working for both surfing and snowboarding broadcasts. Her experience in front of the camera will serve her well as she shifts from athlete to analyst.
Olympic Journey
Her Olympic debut came in 2006 in Italy, where she famously executed the “Lindsey Leap” – a flashy jump and grab that earned her a second‑place finish after a dramatic fall.
In the most recent Games, Jacobellis finally secured a gold medal, then added a mixed‑team victory with partner Nick Baumgartner in the event’s inaugural edition.
Personal Perspective
When asked about her move to the booth, she insisted it was not a retirement. “Don’t count the old girl out,” Jacobellis said after that victory, when asked for the moral of the story. She added, “Life doesn’t work that way. You adapt and bend to life. It’s calling an audible every day. I’m enjoying learning this new time in my life. I want to enjoy that time. I’ve given over 20 years to this sport, solely focusing on my career and racing. I want to give at least this first six months to a year to, totally, Ayla.”
Key Takeaways
- Jacobellis will serve as NBC’s snowboardcross analyst for the Paris Games.
- She has 31 World Cup titles, six world championships, and two Olympic gold medals.
- The decision to step away from competition is driven by her new role as a mother and a desire to adapt to life’s changes.
As the Games approach, fans can look forward to seeing Jacobellis’s expertise from a new perspective, while she continues to champion her sport both on and off the slopes.
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