5 Burning Questions With Maddy Schaffrick

Maddy is a member of the inaugural Team OutAF, a group of six out LGBTQ+ athletes competing in the Milan Winter Olympics and Paralympics. We caught up with her  and asked her five questions ahead of the Winter Games.

Maddy Schaffrick has made a return to snowboarding that few saw coming, one of the great sports returns of all time. Having never competed in a Winter Olympics, Schaffrick returned to competition after nearly a decade away, earning a spot on Team USA in 2025. 

Now the Colorado native has put her plumbing career and coaching on hold to compete for the United States in Milan.

Maddy Schaffrick

Snowboarding

Team OutAF: Other than competing, what are you most looking forward to in Milan?

Maddy: I’m honestly looking forward to the entire experience as a whole. Since I’ve never been to an Olympics, I don’t really know what to expect. So I’m excited to go there totally open and willing to absorb it all. 

And since we’re in Italy, I’m of course looking forward to all the delicious food and the Italian wine after I compete.

Team OutAF: Is there anyone you hope you get to meet?

Maddy: I really hope to meet Lindsey Vonn, but not for a typical reason. I want to make the joke that I am honored she copied me coming out of retirement, and I’m glad I was able to inspire her so much… totally kidding! I would never.

I am inspired by the amount of athletes that are making significant “come backs” for these games. Gus Kenworthy being one of them. We know each other from years back, and I’m stoked to be back on this journey with him. 

To answer the question thoughtfully though, I’m excited to meet everyone I can. The majority of the athletes I follow are summer sports athletes and I know for a fact there will be a large number of winter sports athletes that I have yet to meet that I will become an instant fan of.

Team OutAF: What's your favorite sports memory?

Maddy: It’s hard to choose just one sports memory. Snowboarding and several different sports have given me so many incredible memories and life experiences. 

One memory though that was the most life-changing was watching X Games women’s snowboard halfpipe on TV with my dad when I was 6. I remember watching Gretchen Bleiler’s run and she was wearing an all-yellow outfit. I don’t think it was the yellow outfit in particular, but for some reason that’s one of the details I remember.

Either way, that was the moment I wanted to switch from skiing to snowboarding, and I wanted to compete in halfpipe. 

Team OutAF: What does it mean to you to be out and proud?

Maddy: To be out and proud means I am free to be me. There is nothing worse than hiding parts of yourself from others, and especially from yourself. 

I recognize that being able to be out and proud is such a privilege that not everyone in this world has. My hope is that when I – and others who are able – stand out and proud, we shine light on the fact that queer people are everywhere and we’re all just human. No one is alone and we stand for love and freedom. Being out and proud means simply being able to live life.

Team OutAF: Who's your favorite LGBTQ+ athlete and why?

Maddy: It’s hard to pick just one… and is Billie Jean King too on the nose? There are so many powerful LGBTQ+ athletes that I look up to and consider my favorite. It’s kind of like if you’re an athlete and you’re gay, you’re my favorite and I’m going to root for you.