American · Reno, Nevada, USA · Born 9 March 1984American alpine skier nicknamed 'Super Jules', the most decorated U.S. female alpine skier in Olympic history until being matched by Mikaela Shiffrin.
Julia Marie Mancuso was born on 9 March 1984 and grew up in Squaw Valley, California, making her World Cup debut aged just 15 in 1999 and setting a U.S. record of eight Junior World Championship medals, including five golds. Despite this junior success, she struggled for years at the senior World Cup level before an unexpected breakthrough at the 2006 Turin Olympics, where, having never won a World Cup race, she won gold in the giant slalom. Mancuso's Olympic heroics continued at the 2010 Vancouver Games, where after nearly two years without a World Cup podium due to back problems, she won back-to-back silver medals in the downhill and super combined, finishing behind training partner Lindsey Vonn in the former. She added a bronze in the super combined at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, becoming the only American woman to win an Olympic alpine skiing medal of every color and completing medals across three consecutive Games. Mancuso, known as 'Super Jules' for her habit of racing in themed superhero costumes and gear, retired in January 2018 as the most decorated American woman in Olympic alpine skiing history, with four Olympic medals and five World Championship medals, before Mikaela Shiffrin later matched her Olympic medal tally. Away from competition, she was an avid surfer and freeskier based between Lake Tahoe and Maui, and became an NBC Olympics broadcaster after retiring.
Becoming the only American woman to win an Olympic alpine skiing medal of every color, across three consecutive Games
How They Played
Versatile all-round skier competitive in speed and technical events alike, known for calm composure in major championship moments
Lasting Impact
Remembered as one of America's most colorful and successful alpine skiers, whose unconventional style and Olympic consistency inspired a generation of U.S. racers
Career Honours
- 2006 Olympic Gold Medal, Giant Slalom
- 4 total Olympic medals (tied for most by a U.S. female skier)
- 5x World Championship medalist
- American record 8 Junior World Championship medals
American Athletes