A sports couple has gotten engaged.

With famous boyfriend: Former ski star is engaged

A former Swedish ski racer got engaged to her famous boyfriend in front of a picturesque backdrop – and was overcome with emotion.

August 17, 2026

From: det

Former Swedish speed specialist Lisa Hörnblad makes no secret of her love for Italy. Now, the boot-shaped country will forever hold a special place in her heart: the 30-year-old recently got engaged on Lake Como. "Dreams do come true," wrote the 45-time World Cup competitor, who has been retired from skiing for two years.

This makes it clear: A true sports couple will soon be saying "I do." Hörnblad's boyfriend is Swedish ice hockey player Rasmus Sandin, who has been playing in the NHL for years. The 26-year-old defenseman has played nearly 400 games in the world's best league, but is currently injured: He tore his ACL in April.

Check out this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lisa Hörnblad (@lisahrnblad)

Despite this injury, Sandin got down on one knee at Lake Como. "I was so surprised," wrote his girlfriend Hörnblad on Instagram, admitting that she was overcome with emotion. "After the tears, we somehow managed to take a picture of ourselves," the Swede added.

After surgery, her life hung in the balance.

A new chapter has begun in Hörnblad's life. Her skiing career came to an end in the spring of 2024. The downhill skier has had a turbulent career: she was considered a talent in her youth but struggled with immense bad luck and injuries. Between August 2019 and December 2022, Hörnblad had to undergo seven operations.

Lisa Hörnblad competed in the World Cup for many years. © Leo Holzknecht / Lisa Hörnblad

At the beginning of 2022, she was even in critical condition after contracting blood poisoning during surgery. Two years later, the Swede finally ended her career, partly because she no longer received the support she needed from the federation. Now Hörnblad is enjoying her new life – and will soon be getting married.