Kelly Sildaru

Kelly Sildaru, born on February 17, 2002, is a prominent Estonian freestyle skier who has made significant strides in the sport at a remarkably young age. At just 13 years old, she captured the gold medal in slopestyle at the 2016 Winter X Games, making history as the youngest gold medalist in the event's history and the first athlete from Estonia to medal at the Winter X Games. Sildaru further solidified her status as a leading competitor by winning two gold medals at the X Games, setting a record as the youngest athlete to achieve this feat.

Her groundbreaking performance continued in 2017 at the Winter X Games Norway, where she became the first woman to successfully execute a Switch 1260° Mute and a 1440° during competition. Making her World Cup debut in August 2017, she clinched victory in the slopestyle event in Cardrona, New Zealand.

Although she was a favorite for gold in the women's slopestyle at the 2018 Winter Olympics, an unfortunate knee injury sidelined her. However, Sildaru bounced back, claiming a gold medal in the halfpipe at the World Championships. She also earned gold in women's freestyle skiing at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games.

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, she showcased her talent by securing a bronze in slopestyle with a score of 82.06. Sildaru has been recognized as Estonia's Female Athlete of the Year twice (2019, 2022) and was awarded the Order of the White Star, 3rd class, a prestigious state honor.