Madi Gilson

My journey as an Australian alpine ski racer began on the slopes of Perisher, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales. What started as a family ski trip at just four years old soon became something much bigger. After watching ski racing and following in the footsteps of my older sister, I found myself drawn to the competitive side of the sport, and by the age of eight, I had asked to join a race club of my own.

Growing up racing in Australia, I developed my foundations through Interschools and club racing before taking the next step towards international competition. My progression eventually led me to Europe, where I now train full-time with Apex2100 in Tignes, France, surrounded by some of the world's most promising young alpine skiers. From early mornings on the mountain to afternoons in the gym, my life revolves around the constant pursuit of becoming a stronger, faster and more consistent racer.

The road to international ski racing has not always been straightforward. A serious crash in Croatia, which left me with a fractured vertebra in my lower back and muscle complications down the road, became one of the defining challenges of my career. Returning to the sport meant rebuilding both physically and mentally, learning to trust myself again and finding the confidence to push forward. Rather than defining my career, the setback became part of the process, shaping my resilience, perspective and determination to keep improving.

Behind my journey is a family whose sacrifices have made this dream possible. My Mum has been my biggest supporter from the very beginning, working three jobs to help me pursue my goal of becoming a World Cup skier. Her dedication, strength and belief in me have never gone unnoticed, and she is one of the biggest reasons I continue to push myself.

Alongside my training, I also work in a restaurant and in hotel housekeeping to help fund my racing career. Balancing work with the demands of full-time training is not always easy, and at times it means sacrificing valuable hours that could otherwise be spent on the snow, in the gym or recovering. But I understand what it takes to pursue this sport, and I am willing to put in the work both on and off the mountain. Every opportunity I have is built on the sacrifices my mum and I have made, and that makes the dream of representing Australia on the World Cup stage mean even more.

Today, I am working towards establishing myself on the international racing circuit, with ambitions to progress through the Nor-Am and Europa Cup levels and ultimately represent Australia on the World Cup stage. Every race brings a new opportunity to test my limits, learn from the best and move one step closer to that goal.

Away from the race course, my life is still centred around the mountains and the outdoors. Whether I'm ski touring, chasing fresh snow, hiking, road biking or exploring somewhere new with a camera, I find the same sense of freedom that first drew me to skiing. For me, the mountains are more than a training ground; they're my home.