Barbara Ann Cochran’s 1972 Olympic gold shines as son Ryan wins silver today

Ryan Cochran-Siegle just captured his second straight Olympic silver medal tonight, exactly when his legendary mother was watching from the stands. The 33-year-old Vermont skier finished just 0.13 seconds behind winner Franjo von Allmen in the men’s super-G at Milan Cortina 2026. Most remarkable, his mother Barbara Ann Cochran won Olympic gold in slalom nearly 54 years ago at the 1972 Sapporo Games.

A Golden Legacy Spanning Decades

Barbara Ann Cochran conquered the tricky slalom course in Sapporo, Japan on February 8, 1972, when she was just 18 years old. She won by the smallest margin in Olympic alpine skiing history, edging her closest rival by just 0.02 seconds. Now, nearly a quarter century later, her son carries her winning spirit down the slopes. Ryan competes with the same Vermont grit his mother showed, growing up skiing on the same family slopes where she trained. The 54-year gap between their medals is extraordinary, yet the family legacy continues unbroken.

From Stomach Bug to Podium Finish

Just four days ago, Ryan was battling a stomach bug so severe he couldn’t hold anything down, even vomiting during the gondola ride to the downhill race. He finished a disappointing 18th place that day, a setback that would have derailed most athletes. But inspired by fellow Vermont racers Ben Ogden (who won silver in cross-country sprint) and the success of Paula Moltzan and Jacqueline Wiles (bronze in team combined), Ryan reset his mindset. “Sometimes it’s good to be a goldfish,” he said, embracing his philosophy of moving forward quickly from tough moments.

“There must be something in the water back home in Vermont. It’s crazy we’re sitting here with another successful Olympics.”

— Ryan Cochran-Siegle, U.S. Alpine Skier, after his silver medal finish

Family Pride Powers the Slopes

Ryan says he doesn’t feel pressured by his family’s skiing legacy, only motivated by it. “I’m a representation of my entire family,” he said after his victory. His mother Barbara‘s confidence in him never wavered, even when others doubted. After his 2021 broken neck injury that threatened to end his career, she encouraged him to stay positive and pursue excellence. Ryan has siblings Cate and Melanie, and cousins who competed on the U.S. Ski Team. The Cochran family tradition of excellence spans generations, grounded in their family ski area in Richmond, Vermont.

Maple Syrup and Vermont Roots Unite Mother and Son

Before today’s race, Ryan fueled up with anything Vermont. He drank a maple syrup mix with water during warmups and ate pancakes with syrup at breakfast. “Maybe that was the secret,” he smiled when asked about his victory. His family now runs Cochran’s Slopeside Syrup, turning their skiing passion into a family business. Growing up in Starksboro, Vermont, Ryan learned humility and hard work on the same slopes where his mother trained. His mother Barbara spent 40 years as an instructor at the family ski area, passing her skills to younger generations. Today’s medal proves the Vermont spirit is alive in Ryan’s racing DNA.

Will This Silver Lead to Gold Next Time?

With two consecutive Olympic super-G silver medals, Ryan Cochran-Siegle sits on the edge of greatness. In Beijing 2022, he missed gold by just 0.04 seconds, one of the closest calls in recent Olympic history. Today he finished just 0.13 seconds behind Franjo von Allmen, who captured his third gold medal at these Games. Ryan remains surprisingly calm about the gap. “All that’s out of your control,” he said about the racing conditions. Will Ryan pursue the gold medal slip that eluded his legendary mother by such a tiny margin decades ago, or will silver become his signature achievement?

Sources

• Vermont Public: Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s 2nd Olympic Silver Medal Traces to Vermont Roots
• Washington Post: Ski Racer Ryan Cochran-Siegle Wins Olympic Silver in Men’s Super-G
• People.com: All About Olympic Skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle’s Parents and Gold Medal-Winning Mom Barbara Cochran

Michael Brown

Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.