Readers Share Their Most Memorable Winter Olympic Moments
As the 2026 Winter Olympics kick off with spectacular opening ceremonies in Milan, Cortina, Livigno, and Predazzo, the stage is set for new medals, memories, and iconic performances. While history awaits this year's athletes, we asked readers to reflect on their most cherished moments from past Games—those performances that still evoke euphoria and send shivers down the spine.
Edgar Grospiron's Revolutionary Moguls Win in 1992
Adam Greener, 60, from Oxfordshire, recalls living and working in Tignes, France, during the 1992 Albertville Winter Olympics. He was drawn to the inaugural Olympic moguls competition, held on a steep slope near Val Claret, captivated by the fun, irreverent, and fast-paced attitude of the bumps skiers.
"One skier in particular, Edgar Grospiron, a young Frenchman, had captured mine and pretty much everyone else's attention," says Greener. "He was known for his rapid-fire runs, super-fast turns, and massive airs. He was seen as an upstart challenging more traditional freestyle skiers."
On the day of the men's moguls finals, a massive crowd braved the cold to cheer on the world's most radical skiers. Greener secured a front-row spot, enjoying music, drinks, and athletic warm-up moves. Grospiron topped the qualifying round and faced off against countryman Olivier Allamand and American star Nelson Carmichael in the final.
His last run was nothing short of insane: covering nearly 250 metres in just 31 seconds, with two massive jumps over moguls the size of small cars. "It was pure adrenaline on planks—we all went crazy," Greener remembers. Grospiron's victory marked him as a pioneer of competitive freestyle skiing, a moment Greener will never forget.
Franz Klammer's Edge-of-Disaster Downhill in 1976
John Runions, 64, from Tring, highlights Franz Klammer's men's downhill win at the 1976 Innsbruck Winter Olympics as an indelible memory. As a hardcore teenage skier watching from Ottawa, Canada, Runions was hyperventilating during Klammer's perilous run.
"I was 16 years old, watching live on TV in my parents' house," he says. "When I think back, I smile from ear to ear. Klammer flew down the slopes with his arms waving and legs sticking out, yet he managed to win gold without falling."
Klammer's lack of traditional style was impressive and unconventional for the time, as racers typically held tight form to shave off seconds. This inspired Runions and his friends to emulate Klammer on ski hills, attempting big bumps with arms and legs kicking out—much to the ski patrol's dismay. "To this day, I have no form when skiing fast," he admits.
Torvill and Dean's Perfect 6.0 in 1984
Ros Williams, 85, from Somerset, describes watching Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean win gold with a perfect 6.0 at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics as "absolutely special." As ice skaters for fun, she and her husband Ian were particularly moved, with Ian having known the pair from Nottingham.
"We watched live on TV at home," Williams recalls. "One of the most striking aspects was the music—Maurice Ravel's Boléro, a favourite of mine. My favourite part was their jive at the end; it was marvellous."
Staring in awe at the TV, Williams couldn't believe what she was witnessing. This moment inspired her and her husband to continue skating well into their later years, with Ian still skating in his 80s. "There are wonderful skaters nowadays, but that was something truly unique," she adds.
Shaun White's Emotional Halfpipe Victory in 2018
Tim Burrows, 60, from Norfolk, shares his favourite moment: American snowboarder Shaun White winning his third Olympic gold in the halfpipe at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. White was in second place with the last run of the day, needing a perfect and technically difficult performance to clinch gold.
"He had been practising back-to-back 1440s in New Zealand and almost ruined his chances with a face injury requiring 60 stitches," Burrows explains. "But he pulled off those tricks in his last run to win."
The run delivered what snowboarders call "stoke"—a rush of euphoria that moved Burrows to tears. As someone who switched from skiing to snowboarding in his 30s, despite injuries, Burrows credits White for inspiring his dedication to the sport. "I salute Shaun for what he did for my sport," he says, noting he plans to snowboard into his 60s and beyond, though he'll never attempt the halfpipe like White.
These stories highlight how Winter Olympics moments transcend time, inspiring generations and leaving lasting impressions on fans worldwide.
