By Katy Savage
Alice Padilha, 17, is a senior at Killington Mountain School. She’s originally from Brazil and competes in Slalom and Giant Slalom in hopes of competing full time on the Brazilian National Team.
Q&A with Alice Padilha
What does it mean to you to have the World Cup come to Killington?
Alice Padilha: Experiencing a World Cup in front of your own eyes is amazing. Seeing all of the idols I look up to, it’s something to be proud of in my home mountain. The loud cheering and atmosphere is something everyone should experience in their life.
What got you into ski racing and how did you first discover your passion for the sport?
AP: I first got into ski racing when my twin brother started in the development program. I didn’t even know what ski racing was, so I started watching YouTube videos of World Cup skiers. That’s when I fell in love with the sport. The more I started racing and training, the more addicted I started to become. I started to ski for myself and finding the excitement in the sport has been super fun.
What are your future goals for the sport (for your race career or any other career in skiing)?
AP: My future goal would be to ski for the Brazilian national team full time and race all over the world. But I have been just going with the flow and letting life take me on this adventure.
Are there any female ski racers or athletes who have inspired you to pursue your goals? What have you learned from them?
AP: A female racer who has inspired me lately in skiing is Zrinka Ljutic from Croatia. I have learned from her to keep things simple and enjoy being present watching her skiing has been the highlight of the World Cup season for me, and how she has been sending it, especially in SL. I cannot wait to see what she brings into the circuit this year. Keeping up with her on her summer training has also been super motivating to me to keep working hard in the gym.
What does it mean to you to be part of a growing community of female athletes in ski racing?
AP: It’s super exciting being a part of the female athlete community. It’s inspiring to look at my idols in ski racing and hoping in the future I can inspire young girls to chase the same dream.
How do you think the ski racing community can further support and uplift women in the sport?
AP: I think that the ski racing community should support all athletes and uplift female athletes’ achievements more on social media.
