Meet Emily Harrop: The Rising Star of Milano Cortina 2026
Since her debut on the international stage, Emily Harrop has captivated audiences and proven her undeniable star power. Born to British parents and raised in the majestic mountains of Savoie, Harrop's love for snow and adventure was destined to take her far. Her journey began in alpine skiing, where she achieved notable success at the national level, but an injury led her to explore new horizons.
At 20, Harrop made a bold decision to dedicate herself to ski mountaineering, and her life transformed. She swiftly climbed the ranks of the world's best athletes, achieving remarkable results at the highest level. Her competitive spirit and unwavering determination propelled her to the forefront of the sport.
In the 2019/20 season, Harrop made her World Cup debut, marking the beginning of her ascent to the pinnacle of ski mountaineering. Her first podiums and, most notably, her inaugural World Cup victory on December 16, 2021, in the Italian stage of Adamello, solidified her prowess in the sprint discipline.
Harrop's versatility shines in various ski mountaineering competitions, but it's in the sprint where she has become almost unstoppable over the years. The 2021/22 season was a testament to her talent, earning her the Breakthrough Athlete of the Season title. She claimed her first overall World Cup and sprint victories, as well as the long-distance world title alongside Axelle Gachet-Mollaret and European gold in the mixed relay with Thibault Anselmet.
From that moment on, Harrop reigned supreme in ski mountaineering. She consistently lifted the overall and sprint crystal globes for four consecutive years, adding the individual crystal globe in 2024 and the vertical one in 2025. In the 2024/25 season, she dominated the World Cup sprint events, securing seven wins out of seven races in this discipline, including a test event in Bormio, the site of the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics.
Harrop's partnership with Anselmet in the mixed relay is equally formidable, having won the world title in 2023 and 2025, as well as numerous World Cup stages. Her success extends beyond the mixed relay, as she has claimed victories and medals in various World Championships, long-distance races, European Championships, and World Cups, solidifying her status as a well-rounded ski mountaineer.
The Flaine sprint, held on April 9, 2022, marked a significant moment in Harrop's career. Competing in her home valley, she showcased her prowess, winning three out of four sprint races on the ISMF's top circuit, including her first World Cup victory in Adamello. With the final race of the year approaching in her native France, Harrop is poised to make history once again.
As she prepares for the Winter Olympic Games in Bormio, Harrop's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion. Her success in ski mountaineering is a beacon of inspiration, leaving fans eager to witness her continued dominance on the world stage.
