Bay Curious Local Olympians to Cheer For During the Winter Games
14 snips
Feb 5, 2026 
Katrina Schwartz, editor and producer who shares sports anecdotes. Sarah Wright, outdoors reporter and former ski racer with insider knowledge. Natalia Navarro, news anchor and Olympics enthusiast who frames athletes' careers. They spotlight Bay Area athletes to watch in Milan. They trade fandom stories, favorite winter events, and rapid-fire profiles of local skaters, skiers, sled hockey players, and rising stars.
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Alyssa Liu's Comeback Story
- Alyssa Liu retired from elite skating at 16 to live a normal teen life and later returned to competition while at UCLA.
- She regained joy and creative control, won the 2025 World Championships, and now skates with renewed freedom.
Creative Expression Boosts Competitive Edge
- Alyssa Liu skates with a distinct personal style and creative expression that sets her apart from peers.
- Natalia believes that this artistic freedom and high baseline technical score give her a real shot at the Olympic podium.
Brandon Kim Balances School And Skating
- Brandon Kim juggles Stanford computer science studies with elite short-track speed skating and often trains without a local rink.
- He sometimes flies to competitions and spends initial days just getting the feel of the ice before racing.