It's been a life-changing couple of weeks for freestyle skier Madi Rowlands after she made history by becoming the first Team GB athlete to ever win a medal on snow at the Winter Youth Olympics. That moment came when she took gold in the women's ski halfpipe on the third day of the Games before following up and claiming bronze in the women's ski slopestyle later that week. Madi suddenly found herself appearing on BBC Breakfast, CBBC Newsround and BBC local radio to cap off a whirlwind experience representing Team GB in Lillehammer!
Madi, 15, from Maidstone, was the only SportsAid athlete to contend for medals on two fronts at the Games. Prior to competing, Madi had said she'd have 'never seen myself being at the Winter Youth Olympics' and that 'it's an honour in itself to be selected' to represent Team GB. For Madi, it doesn't feel that long ago that she began freestyle skiing.
Madi spends much of her time training in Les Deux Alpes in France during the winter months and had said in the lead-up to Lillehammer that she had been 'amazed' at her progress and that 'everything had been worthwhile even if I don't come away with a medal'. Madi's elation was there for all to see after winning gold at the Oslo Vinterpark.
Madi qualified for the Winter Youth Olympics having competed in the FIS Junior World Ski Championships in Valmalenco where she came seventh in the halfpipe and sixth in the slopestyle. Before heading out to Lillehammer, she revealed that she had a pre-competition superstition, and that she hadn't been able to get much rest as she couldn't wait to get started.
"I always sleep in my lucky t-shirt before competing!" said Madi. "I've owned it since I was nine when I won my first competition in England. I've not been able to sleep because I've been so excited about getting a feel for it. I'll just be focusing on my performance as I'd always rather be happy with what I'm doing than looking at other people and getting concerned with what they're up to."
Her approach clearly worked wonders as she doubled her medal haul with bronze at the Hafjell Freepark. A total score of 67.80 after her two runs saw her finish five points clear of fourth spot. Madi's parents Daran and Karen had come out to watch her in the slopestyle without telling her and were both understandably over the moon to see their daughter win her second medal.
Madi, while being completely unaware her mum and dad had seen her win bronze, said they 'went mental over one so I don't know what they're going to do about two!' when asked what her parents would make of her second medal in a week. Madi now has bigger ambitions with clear targets set for the future.
Madi, who has received SportsAid Awards in 2014, 2015 and 2016, said the charity's support has made a big difference. She said: "I went to a SportsAid workshop and got to meet the other athletes and I was like 'wow!' You find out what everybody does - it's a good feeling being together. I used my SportsAid Award towards mainly accommodation and competition fees. It has been a big help."