AJ Ginnis / GEPA footage
AJ Ginnis pushed out of the Olympic begin gate in Bormio one remaining time — to not chase a consequence, however to shut a chapter on his personal phrases.
The 31-year-old slalom specialist, born to a Greek father and American mom, introduced his retirement forward of the 2026 Olympic slalom. In a gesture of respect for his distinctive contributions to the game, organizers granted him the privilege of a ceremonial farewell descent with bib 31 through the first run. Because of this, he slid by way of the end to sustained applause, ending considered one of alpine snowboarding’s most compelling underdog tales.
“I’m overwhelmed with emotion,” Ginnis instructed Eurosport. “My snowboarding profession involves an finish immediately on the world’s largest stage and I couldn’t be happier. Pushing out of the beginning gate, it’s like a temple. I used to be simply occupied with my profession, what ski racing has meant to me, the coaches on the facet, the relationships I’ve constructed through the years. It was a magical feeling.”
Vermont Roots, International Ambitions
Alexandros Joannis “AJ” Ginnis started his FIS profession representing america. As a graduate of Inexperienced Mountain Valley College in Waitsfield, Vermont, he constructed his basis there as a slalom specialist with elite-level quickness and aggression.
His first main worldwide breakthrough got here in 2015, when he earned bronze on the FIS Junior World Alpine Championships, ending behind Henrik Kristoffersen of Norway and Marco Schwarz of Austria — two names that proceed to dominate the World Cup tour.
Nevertheless, Ginnis’ profession was by no means easy.
Early Setbacks and a Relentless Mindset
From the start, knee accidents adopted him. His first ACL tear got here in La Parva, Chile, whereas coaching downhill as an entry-level athlete on the U.S. Ski Group. Though the harm was extreme, his response was rapid.
His first query to his coach was easy: When will I be again?
That mindset finally outlined him.
By means of a number of knee surgical procedures and setbacks, Ginnis rebuilt himself repeatedly. Bodily, the toll was actual; mentally, his perception by no means wavered. Due to that resilience, he continued to chase the world’s greatest.
A Turning Level — and a Daring Determination
When the U.S. Ski Group dropped its World Cup males’s slalom program, Ginnis confronted a crossroads. As an alternative of stepping away, he spent the 2022 season snowboarding for Dartmouth School, regrouping whereas persevering with to coach at a excessive degree.
Then, in 2023, he returned to the World Cup representing Greece.
It was a brave transfer — and, finally, it modified every part.
Snowboarding for Greece meant operating a lean, unbiased operation. To make it work, Ginnis selected longtime GMVS pal Sandy Vietze as his coach and serviceman. Notably, Vietze himself had skied one World Cup race for america, bringing firsthand understanding of the game’s highest degree.
Collectively, they constructed one thing from scratch. Touring gentle, Vietze tuned the skis and coached whereas managing logistics. Above all, perception carried the mission ahead — and AJ’s expertise flourished.
Historic 2023 Season
The breakthrough got here in February 2023 in Chamonix. Beginning with bib 45, Ginnis exploded within the second run, climbing from twenty third to complete second — thereby incomes the primary alpine World Cup podium in Greece’s historical past.
Quickly after, on the 2023 FIS World Championships, the boys’s slalom unfolded in Courchevel on L’Éclipse — a demanding venue that rewards energy and fearless execution. There, Ginnis delivered once more. He secured a historic slalom silver medal behind Norway’s Henrik Kristoffersen, cementing himself among the many self-discipline’s elite. For Ginnis, it stays the defining aggressive second of his profession.
Furthermore, he certified for the World Cup Finals in each 2023 and 2024, proof that his success was not a one-week surge however sustained excellence constructed by way of years of persistence.
In a dramatic snowstorm at Palisades Tahoe, shortly after the World Championships, he appeared to win his first World Cup race by main in mixed time. Nevertheless, a straddled management gate — confirmed by the jury — erased what would have been one other landmark victory.
Even so, historical past had already been made.
Accidents Return
Regardless of the success, knee points by no means totally disappeared. Finally, one surgical procedure too many — mixed with lingering problems from his most up-to-date process — pressured a tough resolution.
He competed in just one World Cup race after November 2024, which got here in Levi in November 2025. In the meantime, the bodily calls for of contemporary slalom — energy, timing, and the power to push on the restrict with out hesitation — require whole confidence within the physique. Over time, Ginnis not felt he had that.
Forward of the Olympic race, he shared the fact.
“Tomorrow (February 16), on the Olympic Video games, I’ll push out of the beginning gate for the ultimate time,” he wrote on Instagram. “Problems from my final surgical procedure gained’t enable me to compete on the degree this sport calls for. That could be a actuality I’ve needed to settle for.”
He added: “I gained’t be attacking the gates one final time. As an alternative, I’ve been given the chance to go away the beginning gate and slide down and end my profession on my phrases. And for that, I’m deeply grateful.”
“Tomorrow isn’t concerning the clock or the outcomes. It’s about gratitude. It’s about respect for the game that formed my life. It’s about ending the journey the place each athlete goals of standing.”
A Profession That Bridged Nations
All through his profession, Ginnis carried a Mediterranean nation — one not historically related to elite alpine snowboarding — onto one of many sport’s largest podiums. On the identical time, he remained deeply revered inside the U.S. ski group that helped form him.
To many, he was nonetheless considered one of their very own.
“I hoped to be a contender at these Video games,” Ginnis stated. “However I’m very grateful to the organisers and all people that allowed me to take this chance to have my final run down on this monumental occasion. I’m simply very grateful.”
Finally, his legacy will not be solely medals and podiums. As an alternative, it’s resilience. It’s independence. It’s the willingness to construct a World Cup program from scratch and push himself again to the highest after devastating setbacks.
From La Parva to Courchevel. From Vermont to Greece. From ACL tears to Olympic farewell.
AJ Ginnis leaves the game as a World Cup podium finisher, a World Championship silver medalist, and probably the most decided slalom racers of his technology.
The tour will miss him.
