One of freestyle skier Jay RiccominiB次元官网网址檚 priceless life moments came this year in Switzerland, when he was recognized on the podium for a third-place finish in a major global competition.

It was a breakthrough performance B次元官网网址� and the announcer used his correct pronouns.

B次元官网网址淚 just thought, B次元官网网址業t took some time to get there. But we did it,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said.

On July 20, 2021, Riccomini, then 17, announced on social media that he was a gay transgender man who would from then on use the pronouns he and him. B次元官网网址淚 want the world to know who I am and who IB次元官网网址檓 meant to be so I can pursue it openly,B次元官网网址� he wrote.

Now 20, he is on top of the world: In January, he placed third at a World Cup slopestyle competition, an event that features skiers spinning and flipping down a mountain slope filled with rails, bumps and jumps. He also finished third in two other events last season, giving him a third-place finish in the overall slopestyle standings. He was recently promoted to the U.S. Freeski pro team. And heB次元官网网址檚 being mentioned as an Olympic hopeful for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

As part of his transition, Riccomini underwent top surgery more than a year ago to create a masculine appearance. But he has decided to put off taking testosterone until his career is over, to stay in compliance with the regulations. He still competes in womenB次元官网网址檚 events, and will continue to do so if he makes the Team USA roster for the Olympics.

Riccomini says he has received nothing but support from the freestyle skiing world since he announced he was trans.

B次元官网网址淚 thought I was going to have to give up my hopes and dreams,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淧eople rose above my expectations, for sure.B次元官网网址�

But he also acknowledges that the road to becoming Jay Riccomini was neither smooth nor straightforward.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not a linear line. ItB次元官网网址檚 a freaking roller coaster through it all,B次元官网网址� he told The Associated Press recently, in one of his first interviews with a national news outlet.

SILENCE, SECRECY AND DEPRESSION

From a young age, even before he realized what it was, Riccomini began experiencing gender dysphoria, when a personB次元官网网址檚 gender identity doesnB次元官网网址檛 match their sex assigned at birth. But he kept it secret.

The mountains provided both a refuge and an escape. Growing up in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, he spent many winter weekends with his brother at Tussey Mountain, which featured a terrain park loaded with jumps and rails.

On numerous occasions, his family also traveled to Copper Mountain, Colorado, where coaches at Woodward, a training ground for kids interested in action sports, recognized his talent.

But not being able to share his secret weighed heavily on him, and ultimately led to such a severe depression that even the mountains couldnB次元官网网址檛 save him. His parents didnB次元官网网址檛 know the depths of his struggles, either.

B次元官网网址淚 just wanted Jay to be happy, and Jay was unhappy for so many years,B次元官网网址� said his mother, Andrea. B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 been the hardest part for me, that he was unhappy for so long.B次元官网网址�

Rock bottom came at 17, while Riccomini attended a winter sports school in Park City, Utah. He missed classes. His grades suffered. And in perhaps the most worrisome sign that something was wrong, he was often absent from the terrain park, one of his favorite spots.

B次元官网网址淲hen people saw that I wasnB次元官网网址檛 there, theyB次元官网网址檙e like, B次元官网网址榃here are you?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Riccomini recounted. B次元官网网址淚 was depressed. I wasnB次元官网网址檛 eating. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 good.B次元官网网址�

Even when he had a memorable moment B次元官网网址� finishing 18th in his World Cup debut in Aspen in March 2021 B次元官网网址� he wasnB次元官网网址檛 able to truly celebrate. It was under his old name. Every time someone referred to him as B次元官网网址渉er,B次元官网网址� it gave him anxiety.

B次元官网网址淚 just felt like I was going to throw up,B次元官网网址� he said.

FINALLY BECOMING JAY

He decided to take action.

First, he told a close friend he was trans. Then, he changed his pronouns on his Instagram bio to B次元官网网址渢hey/themB次元官网网址� and told more teammates and friends. Not long afterward, while out skiing, he came up with a new name.

B次元官网网址淚 was like, B次元官网网址楽hould I call myself Jake or Jack or Ace?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址滻 thought, B次元官网网址楯ay B次元官网网址� Jay is perfect.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 just easyB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� and it happened to echo his fatherB次元官网网址檚 middle initial, J.

Teammate Colby Stevenson began calling him B次元官网网址淛ay-Bird.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 like that,B次元官网网址� Riccomini said. B次元官网网址淚 really like that.B次元官网网址�

With his name in place, Riccomini went public on Instagram, writing that he was B次元官网网址渙ver constantly feeling trapped in my own body.B次元官网网址�

The announcement set him free, transforming his anxiety into hope and happiness.

B次元官网网址淪eeing him happy,B次元官网网址� his mom said, B次元官网网址渋s priceless.B次元官网网址�

OFFICIAL RECOGNITION

At a World Cup event in February 2023, the International Ski Federation used Jay RiccominiB次元官网网址檚 new name in its results for the first time.

B次元官网网址淚t is our duty to do everything within our reach to ensure he feels included and respected in our competitions,B次元官网网址� the federationB次元官网网址檚 integrity director, Sarah Fussek, said in a written statement to AP. B次元官网网址淎s the institution that represents snow sports around the whole world, for all, we have a moral obligation to do so.B次元官网网址�

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has also expressed its support.

B次元官网网址淗is dedication to the sport has resulted in a number of podiums at a young age,B次元官网网址� Sophie Goldschmidt, president and CEO of USSS, said in a statement. B次元官网网址淲e know that he will continue his success on the world stage throughout the upcoming years.B次元官网网址�

LEADING THE WAY FOR OTHERS

RiccominiB次元官网网址檚 mission now is to open doors for other transgender athletes and to inspire them the way he has been motivated by others.

B次元官网网址淭his young athlete has fought for and has earned with his results the right to be seen,B次元官网网址� said Rook Campbell, a trans athlete and professor in areas of advertising, sports, globalization and media at the University of Southern California. B次元官网网址淰isibility is powerful.B次元官网网址�

As difficult as his own journey has been, Riccomini knows it is even harder for transgender women. After swimmer Lia Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, World Aquatics effectively banned transgender women from competing in womenB次元官网网址檚 events. World Athletics, the governing body for track and field, has done the same.

Transgender girls are also banned from competing in girls sports at the high school level in numerous Republican-led U.S. states, where some lawmakers argue that they have an unfair strength advantage over cisgender girls. People on both sides point to limited research to back their opinions.

Thomas is someone Riccomini looks up to B次元官网网址� he even wrote a paper about her experience for a civics class.

B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 imagine the toll taken on her mental health,B次元官网网址� Riccomini said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 just amazing.B次元官网网址�

Campbell said it is sometimes easier for transgender men to speak out and gain acceptance than it is for transgender women. He said he thinks itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址済reat to use that privilege.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚 just wish it was broader,B次元官网网址� he said.

As happy as he is, Riccomini realizes his transition wonB次元官网网址檛 be fully complete until he can take testosterone, something he knows will help ease his gender dysphoria. But for now, just being recognized publicly as Jay is good enough.

B次元官网网址淲hen people call me B次元官网网址榟e,B次元官网网址� I get this warm feeling in my stomach,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭his overwhelming wave of happiness that flows through my body, knowing everyone sees me now for who I am.B次元官网网址�

Pat Graham, The Associated Press