Sarah Schleper facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sarah Schleper |
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American alpine skier Sarah Schleper after the first run of the giant slalom in Semmering (Austria) on 28 December 2010.
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| Country |  United States Mexico |
| Full name | Sarah Schleper de Gaxiola |
| Born | February 19, 1979 Glenwood Springs, Colorado, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | Federico Gaxiola |
| World Cup career | |
| Seasons | 1995- |
| Individual wins | 1 |
Sarah Schleper (born February 19, 1979), also known as Sarah Schleper de Gaxiola, is a talented alpine skier with a very long career. She is famous for competing in six different Winter Olympics, representing both the United States and Mexico.
Contents
A Career on the Slopes
Sarah Schleper's skiing career began in 1995. She quickly became a top skier, competing for the United States on the world stage.
Skiing for the USA
For many years, Sarah was a key member of the U.S. Ski Team. She competed in four Winter Olympics for the United States: in 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. Her best Olympic finish for the U.S. was in 2006, where she placed tenth in the slalom event in Turin, Italy.
In 2005, she had a great year. She achieved her only World Cup victory in a slalom race in Switzerland. At the 2005 World Championships, she finished seventh in the slalom, her best result in that competition.
In 2011, Sarah decided to retire from professional skiing. Her last race was a special one. It's a tradition for retiring skiers to wear something fun for their final run. Sarah chose to ski in a summer dress! Halfway down the mountain, she stopped to pick up her four-year-old son. She then skied the rest of the way carrying him in her arms, as the crowd and other skiers cheered.
A New Chapter with Mexico
After retiring, Sarah's life took an exciting turn. She married Federico Gaxiola and became a citizen of Mexico in 2014. This allowed her to return to professional skiing, but this time, for the Mexican ski team.
When she joined, she doubled the size of the team! She skied alongside Prince Hubertus of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, who had often been Mexico's only skier.
Sarah competed for Mexico in the 2018 Winter Olympics and the 2022 Winter Olympics. She paid for her own training and travel to compete. She was one of a small group of athletes representing Mexico in winter sports, including fellow alpine skier Rodolfo Dickson.
Personal Life
Sarah grew up around skiing. Her father, Buzz Schleper, owns a ski shop in the famous ski town of Vail, Colorado.
She is married to Federico Gaxiola. Through her marriage, she gained Mexican citizenship, which allowed her to start the second part of her amazing skiing career. Today, she splits her time between her homes in Vail and Mexico.
Career Highlights
Over her long career, Sarah has had many impressive achievements.
- Six-Time Olympian: She is one of the few athletes to compete in six Winter Olympics.
- Represented Two Countries: She skied for the United States (1998, 2002, 2006, 2010) and Mexico (2018, 2022).
- World Cup Success: She competed in 186 World Cup races. She won one race and stood on the podium (top three) four times.
- World Championships: She competed in many World Championships, with her best finish being 7th place in 2005.
See also
In Spanish: Sarah Schleper para niños
