ABOUT ME

I found ski racing through Interschools when I was 9, and often say those were the most fun days of my career… so far. Being introduced to the sport from a team perspective made it that much better as nothing was more exciting than cheering on my teammates and standing on the podium together. I then joined Thredbo Ski Racing Club, where I continued to be a member for 9 years, competing at all levels within Australia: children's races, early-level FIS races, National Championships, and Continental Cups. My family eventually moved to the US so my brothers and I could join a ski academy to help facilitate both our sporting and academic desires. Since then, I have competed at all levels in the sport, from FIS races to World Cups, and I even qualified for the 2022 Beijing Olympics.

Unfortunately, I was unable to compete in Beijing as I tore my ACL the day after my nomination. Since then, I have been able to successfully come back healthy and happy, achieving my best season to date. In 2023, I was able to significantly improve my world rankings, now standing at 37th in SL and 54th in GS. I was also able to manage the demands of my university season while competing internationally for Australia, where I not only won both individual titles at the NCAA Championships but also contributed to my team's overall victory.

While the past few years have not been short of trials and tribulations, they gifted me plenty of learning opportunities. Such lessons I will take with me throughout my skiing career and beyond!

LESSONS LEARNED

  • #1: It’s not what happens to you, but how you react that matters.

    In February 2019, I suffered a ruptured patellar tendon during the World Junior Championships. The injury led to reconstructive surgery and a rigorous 9-month rehabilitation. Determined to come back stronger, I focused on every aspect of my recovery and returned with my best-ever result in my first race back, learning valuable lessons about resilience and the importance of capitalizing on even the smallest of things within your control.

  • #2: Trusting my abilities and believing I can be competitive

    As an Australian, I often draw inspiration from my nationality when standing in the start gate. While alpine skiing can be intimidating and the feelings of not belonging often arise, I have experienced moments of success that remind me of competitiveness. These glimpses of speed remind me to continually chase improvement while taking take pride in how far I have already come.

  • #3: Live and ski in the moment. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.

    The 2022 Beijing qualifying process was not shy of a stressful experience. Making it to the Olympics had always been a lifelong goal, and the email confirming my nomination brought a moment of relief. However, my reality quickly changed when I tore my ACL in a race the next day, shattering my childhood dreams. It took time for me to process my mixed emotions, but this injury taught me a valuable lesson about the unpredictability of sports and life. Since then, I have made a promise to be present in my journey, finding gratitude in the smallest of things while prioritizing my happiness in the pursuit of success.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Current World Rank; 37th in SL, 54th in GS

  • 2022 Winter Olympian (injured)

  • 8-time Australian National Team Member

  • 2023 NorAm Winner

  • 2023 NorAm Podium result x 3

  • 2023 Divison 1 NCAA Individual SL & GS Champion

  • 2021 US SL Championships; 2nd

  • 3-time NCAA Team Championship member

  • 2-time NCAA All-Amerian First Team 2023

LIFE OUTSIDE OF SKIING

Lucky for me I grew up with parents and coaches that always encouraged me to develop an identity away from ski racing. They, a lot smarter than me, knew the importance of establishing a sense of self in something that couldn’t be taken away i.e. ski racing when you need knee surgery. So, with the hopes of trying to become a better version of myself outside of skiing, especially when I was recovering from my injuries, I found lots of new hobbies along the way.

I love riding my road bike, doing pilates, and making yummy food. I love to take my dogs on walks, drink good coffee, and journal about my days. I love to play pickleball, have a BBQ with my friends, and do CrossFit with my family. I love spending time in the sun, playing sudoku, and having picnic dinners.

I have grown a sense of appreciation for developing the identity of just Madi, not the ski racer. Some other, more tangible things I have accomplished outside of skiing are…

  • Finance, BS; graduation December 2023

  • Crossfit Level 1 Certification

  • Academic: All-American 2021-23, Deans List (all semesters)

  • Started my own business; Mentoring with Mads & Katie