It’s winter sports season, and skiing and bobsledding are back on our TVs. While it’s rare to see Irish competitors in these frosty fields, it might surprise you to know that there are talented Irish athletes not just competing but making waves on the international stage.
From the slopes to the ice track, Ireland is carving its name into winter sports history. Let’s meet the athletes who are making us proud. How many did you know?
Thomas Maloney Westgaard – Cross-Country Skiing
Thomas Maloney Westgaard is Ireland’s standout competitor in cross-country skiing, a sport that demands incredible stamina and technique.
Westgaard’s mother is Norwegian and his father Irish, and although born in Norway, he chose to represent Ireland when an opportunity came his way.
Westgaard lives and trains in Norway, and has competed in both the 2018 and 2022 Winter Olympic Games. On top of this, the now 29-year-old has taken part in multiple World Cups across Scandinavia.
His best World Cup finishes place him in the top 30, making him a formidable presence on the course. With an eye on the Winter Olympics in 2026, Westgaard continues to build his reputation as a rising star in the sport.
Brendan Newby – Freestyle Skiing
Brendan “Bubba” Newby is Ireland’s freestyle skiing sensation. Specialising in halfpipe skiing, Newby brings creativity and flair to a sport known for its high-risk tricks and gravity-defying stunts.
Although born in Cork to American parents, Newby went to school in Utah, and first competed for Ireland in the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Four years later, he was back at the Olympics, this time in Beijing, China, waving the famous Irish flag proudly.
Newby lives and trains in Utah, USA, where he continues to perfect his jaw-dropping runs. With his infectious energy and determination, Newby has become a fan favourite back “home” in Ireland and has continuously proven to be a serious contender on the world stage. Who knew the Irish would have such a talent representing their country in freestyle skiing?
Seamus O’Connor – Snowboarding
Seamus O’Connor is Ireland’s snowboarding ace, excelling in both the halfpipe and slopestyle disciplines. Although born in the US, O’Connor had the option to represent Ireland due to his Irish grandparents, which made him eligible to represent another nation.
It worked out incredibly well for him, as the American-Irish has since become a two-time Olympian, and was the Irish flag bearer in the opening ceremony at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.
Training in Colorado, he’s surrounded by the best in the business as he looks to build on his previous results, which included finishing 18th in the Men’s halfpipe qualification back in 2018 at the Olympics.
However, his best performances have helped him to achieve qualifying for World Cup events, and he’s well on his way to returning at the upcoming Winter Olympics in hope of achieving better results than previous attempts.
Tess Arbez – Alpine Skiing
Tess Arbez is Ireland’s premier alpine skier, competing in events like the giant slalom and super-G.
Born in France to Irish parents, Arbez is able to train in the ultimate location, the Alps, where she takes on some of the world’s most challenging courses.
Having competed in the PyeongChang and Beijing Winter Olympics, she continues to impress within the world of alpine skiing, and has consistently ranked among the top 50 in international competitions.
She was only the sixth woman to represent Ireland in the Winter Olympics and produced two top 50 results in slalom and giant slalom. In order to achieve her goal, Arbez had put her law studies on hold to qualify, but then chose to switch to different subject altogether.
“I had started law but I prefer science and medicine and I had to take a full year out of skiing to pass first year as it is a difficult course.“But that actually made me realise how lucky we were to ski,” she admits of growing up in Vetraz Monthoux, near the Swiss border where she still lives with her family.
Arbez chose to return to the slopes at the back end of 2020 which turned out to be perfectly timed considering she was trying to balance to very different worlds, due to the global pandemic.
“I was in second year and, with COVID, university was all distance learning and on Zoom which meant I could do the entire ski season. I was maybe the only person who was happy about the pandemic.”
“I was skiing in the morning and catching up with my lessons in the afternoon so it was a really busy year but I think it was worth it.”
It paid off for Arbez as she finished 38th in giant slalom at the 2021 World Championships in Cortina d’Ampezzo, which is her best international result to date.
Jack Gower – Alpine Skiing
Jack Gower is another name to watch in alpine skiing. Originally competing for Great Britain, Jack switched allegiance to Ireland where his family roots lie.
Specialising in downhill and super-G events, Jack trains with elite teams across Europe and North America.
In the 2022 Olympic Games, Gower managed to finish an impressive 12th place in the men’s combined event – which was Ireland’s best-ever result in alpine skiing. The only higher Irish finish at a Winter Games to date is Clifton Wrottesley’s skeleton fourth spot back in 2002.
After his performance, Gower said in an interview: “Twelfth at the Olympics, I mean that’s crazy. There’s 30,000 competitors in alpine skiing, to get 12th is… what can I say, it’s great.”
His powerful performances have earned him top-30 finishes at World Cup events, and has once again positioned himself as a strong contender for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Elsa Desmond – Luge
Elsa Desmond made history as Ireland’s first-ever luge competitor. A doctor by profession, Elsa balances her demanding medical career with her rigorous training schedule.
Desmond was born in Buckingham but qualified to represent Ireland through her grandparents who were from Cork. Having grown up in England, India and Turkey, Desmond’s life is rather unusual compared to most.
She first started competing competitively in 2018 and four years later she was representing Ireland at the 2022 Winter Olympics. At the recent 2024 Winter Youth Olympics, Desmond was the team leader for the Irish luge team in Gangwon, South Korea.
At the age of 27, Desomind has shown incredible determination and skill to get to this level, earning respect and admiration in a discipline dominated by traditional winter sports nations.
Claire Dooley – Mogul Skier
Claire Dooley is Ireland’s hope in the adrenaline-fueled world of mogul skiing. A “Mogul skier” is a skier who specialises in navigating and performing tricks on a steep slope covered with large, uneven bumps – which are called moguls.
Like many of those listed, Dooley wasn’t born in Ireland. In fact, she was born and raised in Brisbane, but due to her late grandmother’s Irish heritage, she was able to represent Ireland and her family, which makes her journey to the sport even more interesting.
After a family skiing holiday when she was 10, her passion for the sport grew from there as she continued to improve and show clear signs she was capable of forging a career as a mogul skier.
While Dooley remains an emerging talent, she has already made her mark in European circuits and is targeting the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympic Games.
The Winter 2025 Arena
This winter season, our Irish athletes will compete in some of the most iconic venues around the world, from the icy tracks of Europe to the high-altitude slopes of North America.
These competitions are the stepping stones to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, where Ireland hopes to field its strongest team yet.
With many experienced athletes ready to take their career to the next level, as well as up-and-coming ones, 2025 promises to be a strong year for our Irish competitors ahead of the next Winter Olympics.
Support Our Athletes
Let’s rally behind these incredible athletes as they blaze trails in winter sports. Whether you’re a fan of skiing, snowboarding, or the luge, you can show your support by following their journeys and cheering them on.
And for those feeling lucky, why not back your new found Irish heroes at TonyBet? Together, we can celebrate Ireland’s snowsports stars and inspire the next generation of winter athletes – and potentially win some money in the process. It’s a real win-win situation.
