UPDATE: After a two-year retirement, Hailey Swirbul is making a dramatic return to competitive cross-country skiing, aiming for a spot in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Swirbul’s comeback, confirmed just days ago, is sending shockwaves through the skiing community as she prepares to compete in upcoming races in Anchorage.
The 25-year-old athlete, who previously secured a podium finish at the World Cup and represented the U.S. at the 2022 Olympics, is stepping back into the spotlight after feeling she left the sport too soon. “I have a completely renewed perspective,” Swirbul stated, highlighting her excitement about returning to the sport she loves.
Swirbul’s last competitive race was a 20K mass start in Lahti, Finland, on March 23, 2023, where she finished 26th. Following that event, she sold her skiing gear, took a job at an engineering firm, and coached junior athletes, but a summer spent training with elite peers reignited her competitive spirit.
A turning point came when fellow Olympians Novie McCabe and Luke Jager jokingly suggested she might “pull a Michael Jordan.” This light-hearted comment sparked a deeper reflection on her athletic aspirations, further influenced by Oliver Burkeman’s book, “Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals.”
“I realized there’s a time limit if I want to truly explore my potential,” Swirbul remarked. With her coaching experience at Alaska Pacific University (APU), she gained fresh insights into balancing training intensity and recovery, stating, “It’s so liberating to just do this process and be part of this journey.”
Swirbul’s comeback is set to kick off next weekend with the first FIS races at Kincaid Park in Anchorage. Success there could lead her to the prestigious Tour de Ski later this winter. “I’m starting from zero, but I’m ready to climb back up,” she noted confidently.
Her coach at APU, Erik Flora, is optimistic about Swirbul’s potential, citing her recent win in a 10K rollerski race at the Schutzenski Festival. “She hasn’t even been training a full year, and she just shows up and wins,” Flora emphasized, underscoring her remarkable talent and fitness level.
As Swirbul prepares for her return, she reflects on her previous regrets about not taking on a leadership role on the U.S. Ski Team. “There’s so much wisdom and mentorship in passing on what you’ve learned,” she said, expressing her desire to guide the next generation of skiers.
With the U.S. Ski Team excited about her comeback, program director Chris Grover recognizes Swirbul as a uniquely talented athlete. “She’s fast and has endurance,” he praised, highlighting her capabilities in both sprint and distance events.
As the skiing community eagerly anticipates her next moves, all eyes will be on Swirbul as she embarks on her journey back to the World Cup circuit. “I want to stay true to myself and remember why I’m doing this,” she concluded, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating comeback season.
