Two more Parkites are joining the roster of locals in the U.S. National Ski Snowboard Hall of Fame this year. Ted Ligety and Stephani Victor were announced this week as members of the Class of 2026 inductees. Credit: Photo courtesy U.S. Ski Snowboard Hall of Fame Credit: Photo courtesy U.S . Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame Ted Ligety, left, decorated alpine skier and Park City native, and Stephani Victor, an adaptive alpine skier who won a total of five medals while competing at four Paralympic Games, will be inducted into the U.S. Ski Snowboard Hall of Fame Class of 2026. “I never would have thought as a kid, growing up, racing here on the Park City Ski Team, that I’d be up for this kind of honor,” said Ligety.  Ligety and Victor are both alpine skiers with careers spanning over 20 years. Ligety is best known as a four-time Olympian and gold medalist. Victor, who has lived in Park City since the late ’90s, is a five-time Paralympian and gold medalist. Both athletes competed in the FIS World Cup circuit, have won numerous competitions across the world, set records and inspired countless others throughout their careers. “It’s not entirely real yet that I’ve been accepted into this (group) of extraordinary athletes — the people who have motivated me throughout my entire career, both on the nondisabled and disabled side,” said Victor.  The two have experienced a few other parallel landmarks before being inducted into the Hall of Fame together. In 2006, Ligety and Victor returned from the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Turin, Italy, each with their first gold medal. The pair were co-grand marshals for the Park City Fourth of July Parade that year.  To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, an athlete has to have been retired for at least five years. Ligety and Victor both retired in 2019.  Justin Koski, executive director of the U.S. Ski Snowboard Hall of Fame, explained that inductees are selected by a nomination and voting process that takes place over three months.  Nominees have to meet certain criteria, in addition to the retirement timeline, including certain competitive landmarks and a consideration of a national impact on their sport. “You want these people to receive their lifetime achievement award or their contribution award when they’re in a really good spot to do so,” Koski said. “When people are still competing, still active, it’s more meaningful once they’re retired and into a different role.” Ligety, whose three children are now on Park City ski teams themselves, said he’s found a “built-in purpose” with his transition into retirement through his family. “I always think that these things are reserved for people when they get a little older, so the fact that I’m not so far removed and still kind of in it is cool,” he said.  When reflecting on their careers, Ligety and Victor highlighted the relationships they made.  Stephani Victor with husband and coach Marcel Kuonen after a gold medal win at the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games. Credit: Photo courtesy of Stephani Victor When Victor was 26 years old, she was hit by a drunk driver, which led to the loss of both of her legs. Victor, who studied filmmaking in college, was in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival in 1999 when a friend suggested she try skiing at the National Ability Center.  At her lesson, she was coached by Swiss skier Marcel Kuonen. As Victor described, it was love at first sight. Two weeks later she moved to Park City with a goal to compete at the 2002 Games, with Kuonen by her side as a partner and a coach. The two later married and Kuonen continued to coach Victor throughout her career. Ligety, who raced on the Park City club team in high school, said the friends he skied with when he was younger pushed him to become a competitive athlete. “I was on the World Cup Circuit for 17 years, and a lot of those are with a lot of the same people, so it definitely built a cool brotherhood,” Ligety said. “I think skiing is unique in the sense that, of course, we’re competitive, but it’s never one-on-one. It’s you versus the course. So I think that builds a cool camaraderie.” Victor said that when she sees people interested in sports, what they’re really interested in is the stories of the athletes.  “That’s what’s so great about (the Hall of Fame) is that there’s a group of people who tirelessly commit to the preservation of history and the unique stories. Because that’s really the reason we love sport,” Victor said.  World Cup winners Lindsey Vonn and Ted Ligety. Photo by Gary Dickey Credit: Park Record file photo During his time at the Hall of Fame, Koski said he’s seen just how much the award can impact people.  “I’ve seen it bring people back to skiing that have been in hiatus for decades. I’ve seen it make people laugh, smile, cry, all the above, all at the same time,” Koski said. “I’ve seen it become a milestone and in some cases, a closing of a chapter, a celebration of an entire lifetime of commitment.” Ligety, who became a household name almost a decade ago, said he hopes those who are becoming more familiar with him now remember that the path to success can start at any point in life.  “I wasn’t some child prodigy,” Ligety said. “You don’t have to peak (as a child). If you stick with it and experiment and trust yourself, you can go a long way.” Victor, who started skiing in her late-20s, said something similar.  “Give yourself permission to fail,” she said. “We have to learn not to define ourselves by the success or the loss, but to just embrace it on a moment-to-moment reality.” Ligety and Victor will join the Hall of Fame in April at a ceremony in Ogden. Tickets for the ceremony and events leading up to it, including activities with the Class of 2026 inductees and Hall of Fame alumni, are available on skisnowboardhall.org. The post Parkite Olympic, Paralympic legacy continues in 2026 Hall of Fame appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less