Sabrina Simader

Born in Kenya and raised in Austria, Sabrina Simader became a trailblazer for African athletes in alpine skiing. Introduced to the sport as a child by her Austrian stepfather, Josef Simader, she sharpened her skills in one of the world's most competitive skiing environments and, over more than a decade of international racing, established herself as a respected athlete on the global stage while proudly representing Kenya. After announcing her retirement from professional racing in July 2025, Sabrina has turned her attention to athlete development, women's empowerment, coaching, and the long-term growth of winter sports across Africa.

Growing up in Austria, Sabrina rose through the competitive ranks as one of the very few African athletes in elite alpine skiing, carrying the responsibility of representing both her country and a continent rarely associated with winter sport. Following PyeongChang 2018 she pursued qualification for Beijing 2022, but financial and logistical barriers ultimately prevented her participation, a stark illustration of the obstacles athletes from emerging winter sports nations face. She is the founder of the African Winter Sports Development Concept, an initiative to expand participation, visibility, and pathways across the continent.