Elfi Hendell fled Nazi-occupied Austria at age 7 during the Holocaust. She hid in a convent in Rome and survived a 21-day boat journey. Eventually, she landed in New York City and built a life for herself as a social worker.

Her granddaughter Avital Carroll later honored her by skiing for Austria on the world stage. The 29-year old moguls skier utilized the Nationality Act, which grants citizenship to direct descendants of those who were forced out in the Holocaust. She began competing for Austria in 2022.

It was a no-brainer for Carroll. She and her grandmother were not only close, but Hendell’s perseverance was an inspiration for her athletic career.

“It’s what I stand for,” said Carroll. “To be able to represent my heritage and promote unity in this crazy world.”

Carroll moved to Steamboat Springs in 2010 to attend Steamboat Mountain School and train with the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club. She trained with SSWSC for seven years and was named to the U.S. Freestyle Moguls Team in 2018. She was on the team four years before switching to Austrian citizenship. At the 2023 World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia, she won bronze medals in both moguls and dual moguls.

Carroll made her Olympic debut at the 2026 Milan Cortina games earlier this month. Hendell held on to see her compete, passing away on Feb. 19.

Carroll carries her grandmother’s spirit with her at all times now.

“I think that’s just the serendipity of life,” said Carroll. “She was able to hold on until the day after my competition finished. Her caretaker was showing her videos of me skiing and keeping her updated.”

Changing teams

The Austrian Parliament adopted an amendment to its citizenship act — Staatsbürgerschaftsgesetz — to recognize its responsibility to victims of the Nazis.

“It was a relatively easy process,” said Carroll. “We just had to provide documentation that proved she was Austrian and confirm her story.”

She debuted for Austria at the Australian New Zealand Cup competition at Perisher Vally, Australia on Aug. 30, 2022. She placed 14th in her first race, but the next day nabbed second. She competes under the banner of Kitzbuheler Ski Club.

Her first World Cup start for Austria was on Dec. 3, 2022 in Ruka, Finland.

“To be able to have my grandmother’s story come full-circle was more meaningful than I could have ever imagined,” she explained. “My motto is love everyone, dream big and unify. Skiing for Austria and what they stand for as a country was really something special.”

She practices the German language daily and was able to speak with her grandmother in her native language shortly before she passed.

“She was shocked that those words were coming out of my mouth,” said Carroll. “But it was an amazing experience to share that with her.”

Olympic experience

Carroll was one of only 19 Jewish athletes in Milan Cortina. Competing at the Olympics was the culmination of generations of dreams for Carroll and her family.

Hendell had first instilled the love of skiing that now permeates through Carroll. That love kept her grounded during a chaotic two weeks in Italy, where every aspect of the athletes lives are magnified.

“Everything is on a much bigger scale,” said Carroll. “I let myself embrace the totality of the experience. However, my job was to execute on the hill.”

Her focus led to a seventh-place finish in moguls and 10th in dual moguls. The moguls finish was her second-highest placement of the season.

She credits her husband and coach with supporting her throughout the games.

“He’s my biggest support system,” she said. “He knows when to push me and when to be my husband.”

In moguls she made it all the way to the second final round, where only the top-8 competed. In dual moguls, she was victorious in the opening round. However, she competed against fellow Steamboat athlete and friend Olivia Giaccio in the second round and was knocked out.

“I had three really good runs on singles day,” she said. “I also debuted a trick I had never done before. I have a lot to be proud of.”

Goals

She headed to Japan to compete in the penultimate World Cup competition immediately after the Olympics.

“It was definitely a weird coming off an Olympics,” said Carroll. “Japan has been one of the best stops on the tour though.”

While not in contention for the World Cup title, Carroll has shown consistent improvement throughout the season.

“This season has been really exciting,” she said. “Especially when you take into account the injuries I have sustained the past few years.”

She knows the results will take care of themselves.

“I just want to have fun skiing, not only for myself, but for my grandmother,” she said. “I’m going to go out there and send it, just like she wanted me to.”