Mexican skier Sarah Schleper was disqualified in the first run of the women's slalom gigante at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The penalty stemmed from an irregular ski measurement exceeding the regulation limit by one millimeter. This ended her participation in the games early, following her prior supergigante event.
Sarah Schleper, 46 years old and naturalized Mexican, competed in her seventh Winter Olympics edition, the third representing Mexico, at Milano-Cortina 2026, held from February 6 to 22 in Italy. On Sunday, February 15, at the Tozane Alpine Ski Center, she completed her first run of the women's slalom gigante with a time of 1:08.95, placing her provisionally 44th. However, minutes later, officials disqualified her due to a technical measurement infraction on her skis: one part measured 51 millimeters instead of the allowed 50, a regulation aimed at ensuring safety.
Schleper, who was the flag bearer for the Mexican delegation at the opening ceremony on February 6 at Milan's San Siro stadium, expressed her disappointment to Claro Sports: “I was disqualified. There are rules on the skis, that part must measure 50 millimeters and I was at 51. I don't know why. I measured them last night and they disqualify me. It's terrible, it's not the way I want to say goodbye to my sport, but we still have tomorrow and I hope Lasse (Gaxiola, my son) can ease that pain.” In an interview with ESPN, she added: “It was due to the ski height, I know they have the rules for our safety. I don't want to break the rules, obviously. I'm saturated with so many things, maybe I should have gone lower to not exceed, it was my mistake. I should have learned my lesson from the past. On top of that, my father owns a ski shop (in Vail, Colorado), he will be very angry with me.”.
This disqualification prevented her from competing in the second run, scheduled for 06:30 hours (Central Mexico time), and marked the end of her campaign in these Games. Previously, on February 12, she finished 26th in the women's supergigante with a time of 1:31.37. Born on February 19, 1979, in Colorado, United States, Schleper competed for her birth country in Nagano 1998, Salt Lake City 2002, Torino 2006, and Vancouver 2010, achieving her best result in 10th place in Torino slalom. She obtained Mexican citizenship after marrying coach Federico Gaxiola and debuted for Mexico in Pyeongchang 2018.
A highlight of these Games is her participation alongside her son Lasse Gaxiola, 18, in alpine skiing, making them the first mother-son duo in Winter Olympics history. Gaxiola debuted on February 14 in men's slalom gigante. About her son, Schleper told ESPN: “My heart was jumping. He skied very well, I'm so proud that he reached the finish and I'm happy that he's already Olympic and marked a time.”.
Regarding her future, Schleper left open the possibility of an eighth participation to tie the historical record, but emphasized giving space to younger athletes: “I feel it like a goodbye because I want to give the young ones a chance, I want to give them space to start their career. Viva Mexico!”. After the event, she plans to join Gaxiola in Bormio for his next race on February 16.
