North Carolina Winter Olympians to Cheer from Hendersonville NC

If you love crisp mountain air, cozy downtown evenings, and the thrill of world-class competition, the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan–Cortina are your kind of party. And if you live in or plan to move to Hendersonville, you’ve got even more reason to tune in: North Carolina athletes are stealing the show on ice and snow, proving that a warm-weather state can still shine in winter sports.

From Paralympic sled hockey to short-track speed skating and heart-pounding skeleton runs, the Tar Heel State is well represented on the world stage. So settle in with a local craft brew or a hot cider from your favorite Hendersonville spot and get to know the athletes you’ll be cheering for this winter.

Kayden Beasley: Paralympic Sled Hockey Phenom

Start with one of the most inspiring stories of the Games: Kayden Beasley from Coats, North Carolina. At just 19, Beasley is making his Paralympic debut with Team USA’s sled hockey squad, but he’s no stranger to big moments. He helped the U.S. capture gold at the 2025 World Para Ice Hockey Championships and quickly established himself as a rising star on the ice.

Born with congenital bilateral amputations and adopted at age three, Beasley discovered sled hockey in 2019 through the Carolina Hurricanes Sled Hockey program. From that first glide across the rink, he rocketed through the ranks with a combination of speed, agility, and fierce competitive spirit. Today, he’s a key part of Team USA’s quest for gold in Milan–Cortina.

What makes Beasley’s story especially meaningful for those of us near Hendersonville is his commitment to giving back. When he’s not training, he mentors younger sled hockey players across North Carolina, encouraging them to chase big goals regardless of the challenges they face. It’s exactly the kind of grit-and-heart mix that feels right at home in our mountain communities.

• Sport: Paralympic sled hockey
• Can’t-miss event: Gold medal game on March 15
• Best way to watch: NBC, USA Network, and streaming on Peacock

Eunice Lee: Duke’s Short-Track Speed Skating Scholar

On the speed skating oval, keep your eye on Eunice Lee, a Duke University student balancing pre-med studies and world-class competition. Originally from the West Coast, Lee chose to study in North Carolina and credits Duke’s facilities and coaching staff with helping her reach the Olympic level.

Lee is a short-track specialist who helped Team USA to silver in the 3000m relay at the 2024 World Championships. She’s back on the world stage in Milan–Cortina, representing a blend of brains and speed that would make any North Carolinian proud. Between chemistry and biology coursework and grueling ice sessions, her schedule is as intense as a final-lap sprint.

For those wondering what’s it like living in Hendersonville and having world-class competition on TV every night, this is part of the magic. You can spend the day hiking on the Blue Ridge Parkway or exploring downtown, then come home and watch a fellow North Carolina student chase Olympic dreams under the lights of an Italian arena.

• Sport: Short-track speed skating
• Highlight: 3000m relay silver at 2024 World Championships
• Events: Racing throughout February 10–20

Mystique Ro: From Charlotte Track Star to Skeleton Daredevil

If you’re drawn to the pure adrenaline of winter sports, you’ll love Mystique Ro. A Queens University of Charlotte track standout turned skeleton racer, Ro now flies head-first down ice tracks at speeds exceeding 80 mph. Her path to the Olympics began at a USA Bobsled/Skeleton combine, where her speed and power translated perfectly to the icy chute.

Ro claimed silver in women’s skeleton and gold in the mixed team event at the 2025 IBSF World Championships, sealing her ticket to Milan–Cortina. She’s known for her fearless mental toughness—exactly what you need when you’re clinging to a small sled and hurtling down a twisting track of ice.

For families moving to Hendersonville, Ro’s story is a reminder that you don’t have to grow up in a snow belt to dream big in winter sports. Charlotte’s urban energy and our mountain-town lifestyle might feel worlds apart, but the shared Carolina pride when she sprints down the start ramp is very real.

• Sport: Skeleton
• Key events: February 13–16
• Notable results: 2025 IBSF silver (women’s) and gold (mixed team)

Carolina Hurricanes Take the Olympic Stage

Of course, no Winter Games in a Carolina household are complete without hockey. Several Carolina Hurricanes players are suiting up for their home countries in men’s Olympic hockey, giving North Carolina fans — including those tucked into the hills around Hendersonville — plenty to track on the scoreboard.

• Sebastian Aho — Finland
• Frederik Andersen — Denmark
• Nikolaj Ehlers — Denmark
• Jaccob Slavin — Team USA
• Seth Jarvis — Team Canada

Men’s Olympic hockey runs February 10–24, and with this much Hurricanes talent on the ice, every game feels a bit like a road trip from PNC Arena to Milan. Picture it: a chilly evening, snowflakes drifting over Main Street, and you ducking into your favorite Hendersonville hangout just in time to catch Aho breaking free on a rush for Finland.

To keep tabs on schedules, rosters, and results across all sports, the official Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics website is your best one-stop hub.

How to Watch from Hendersonville

One of the underrated perks of living in Hendersonville is how easy it is to blend small-town charm with big-event excitement. You can stroll to a café for breakfast, head out for a waterfall hike, then be home in time to catch prime-time Olympic coverage.

Here’s how to follow our North Carolina athletes from your living room or your favorite local spot:

• TV coverage: Look for events on NBC, USA Network, and other NBCUniversal channels throughout the day and evening.
• Streaming: Peacock offers live streams, full replays, and highlight packages — ideal if you’re out exploring all day.
• Schedules & results: Check specific event times and medal standings online so you don’t miss Beasley’s gold-medal game or Ro’s medal runs.

Fans who like planning around the big events will appreciate the flexibility: you can time your local adventures — apple orchard visits, brewery tastings, or a drive along Chimney Rock — around your must-watch Olympic moments.

Bringing Olympic Energy to the Blue Ridge

If watching North Carolina athletes inspires you to get moving, Hendersonville is a surprisingly great base camp for your own winter fun. While we won’t be installing a skeleton track downtown any time soon, the region is rich in outdoor recreation and community events that echo the spirit of the Games.

On a crisp winter day, you might:

• Head up to nearby ski areas in Western North Carolina for a few runs.
• Take a brisk hike on one of our many trails, then warm up with hot chocolate in town.
• Join a local pickup hockey or skating session if you’re willing to drive a bit for rink time.

For those considering a move to Hendersonville and wondering how this all fits into everyday life, the answer is simple: winter in our corner of the Blue Ridge is about variety. You get mild stretches that feel perfect for downtown wandering, the occasional snow that turns Main Street into a postcard, and easy access to more rugged winter adventures just a short drive away.

If you’re curious how Hendersonville stacks up for lifestyle, housing, and seasonal fun, the Hendersonville lifestyle guide is a great place to start exploring options before you relocate to Hendersonville.

Carolina Pride on the World Stage

From Kayden Beasley’s powerful pushes on the sled hockey ice to Eunice Lee’s lightning-fast laps and Mystique Ro’s fearless skeleton descents, the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics are packed with stories that connect straight back to North Carolina. For those of us tucked into these blue hills, that connection feels especially sweet.

So as you plan your winter days — whether you’re already settled here or just starting to dream about moving to Hendersonville — make space for a little Olympic viewing party or two. Cheer on the Hurricanes who’ve traded their NHL sweaters for national colors, and celebrate the Tar Heel athletes proving that winter greatness can come from a state best known for vibrant falls and long, sunny summers.

In Hendersonville, you don’t have to choose between a relaxed mountain lifestyle and big-league excitement. The Games are just one more reminder: you can have your small-town charm, your Blue Ridge vistas, and your world-stage thrills, all in the same season.