For Steamboat athletes, each four-year Olympic cycle brings hopes, dreams and heartbreak. From different disciplines they converge in one spot, bridging cultures, backgrounds and ideals.

This go-around, two women are representing the Yampa Valley in unique ways. One is a first-time Olympian, born and raised in Steamboat, living her very own Rocky Balboa story. The other is a seasoned veteran and leader, who is on her final gold medal chase.

Both are looking to change the world for the better.

For Maddy Schaffrick and Jaelin Kauf, Milan Cortina is all about perseverance, love and following dreams.

“If this is it,” said Kauf, “I want to know that I gave it 100%.”

Diverging paths

At one time, it seemed likely that Kauf and Schaffrick would have made their Olympic debuts together in 2018, in Pyeongchang. But only Kauf did.

Three years prior, in 2015, Schaffrick had stepped away from the sport after her mental health faltered. Only 20, she didn’t know who she was without snowboarding. First, she tried her hand at becoming a plumber. But by 2018, she was entrenched in coaching at the Steamboat Springs Winter Sports Club.

Meanwhile, Kauf was the world’s No. 1 moguls skier and the gold-medal favorite going into Pyeongchang.

She didn’t win though, and failed to make the final run.

“It was tough,” said Kauf. “I left with more to give.”

Patti Kauf, Jaelin’s mother, observed the anguish and pain her daughter felt following the games.

“The pressure as the favorite was overwhelming for her,” said Patti Kauf. “She felt she had let everyone down, and it crushed her.”

Mother and daughter regrouped and healed, and through their shared love of skiing, were able to regain perspective.

“We took a step back,” said Patti Kauf. “She had to find a way to ski for herself again, not the expectations of others.”

Returning to podiums

Four years later at Beijing 2022, both Kauf and Schaffrick attended, albeit in different capacities. Kauf was making her sophomore effort at the games, and Schaffrick had moved up to coaching at the national level.

Kauf avenged her performance four years prior, and was the model of consistency. In her four runs she scored 79.15, 79.32, 80.12 and 80.28. She stepped onto the podium and had a silver medal placed around her neck.

“I was definitely more proud of the effort I gave in 2022,” said Kauf. “It felt good to stand on the podium and see the realization of my dreams.”

Entering Milan Cortina, she once again stands as a gold medal favorite. During the 2025 World Cup moguls season, she finished first in moguls, dual moguls and overall standings, claiming a crystal globe. This year she’s ranked first in dual moguls, with a half-season yet to ski.

After stepping away, Schaffrick began working at the Winter Sports Club, first coaching 7- and 9-year-olds. It was in their eyes that she rediscovered her love for snowboarding.

“I needed to pivot and change perspectives,” said Schaffrick. “Snowboarding isn’t about the medals, it’s about loving and connecting with yourself.”

She ascended from coach to snowboarding director, and eventually joined the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Team as a coach. Then, on a day in Switzerland in 2022, she realized she wasn’t done snowboarding.

Schaffrick’s mother, Cat, remembers the conversation when she decided to return to competition.

“We were sitting in the backyard of a good friend in Louisville,” said Cat Schaffrick. “Our initial reaction was surprise, but I could see Maddy’s maturity and knew her approach would be different this time.”

Schaffrick re-entered the World Cup snowboarding stage on a frigid but blue-sky morning in December 2024 in Secret Garden, China, and began dreaming of an Olympic run. Not only did she compete, but she took third, and stood on the podium in her first competition back.

“Our first realization that she could reach her dream was at the Secret Garden World Cup event where Maddy made the podium,” said Cat Schaffrick. “We watched online, and could see the difference in her riding — much more confident and technical, and less flashy.”

Schaffrick, 30 at the time, was the second oldest competitor, although neither a veteran or a rookie.

Shaffrick actually made her World Cup debut in 2009 at age 15, and was a promising young rider. She narrowly missed out on Sochi 2014, something that weighed on her heavily.

Now, after a year on the World Cup circuit, she steps into her first Olympic games, snowboarding for herself, and bringing the lessons of growth with her.

“I’m snowboarding for myself now, not the person I’m expected to be,” said Schaffrick. “I’m taking better care of myself mentally, and making sure I’m practicing self-care.”

“Deliver the love”

Despite being a competitive skier, Kauf found her soul in the mountains. Skiing is more than a sport, it’s a way of life. It’s the fabric that bonds her to her family, friends, past, present and future.

It’s how she cares for herself, physically, mentally and spiritually.

She has started a foundation, “Deliver the Love,” that advocates for individuals to practice self-care in their own unique ways. One of the key pillars of the foundation is doing what you love, for yourself.

“As a parent, you want your daughter to do her best and achieve her goals,” said Patti Kauf. “But, you also want her to ski for her love of the sport, not for anyone else.”

In Milan Cortina, Kauf plans to leave no doubt that she gave her all. She’ll put her heart, soul and body on the line.

Schaffrick, meanwhile, has found herself in snowboarding again.

“This attempt feels different — I’m not the person I was a decade ago,” said Schaffrick. “I’m going to leave it all out on the pipe and leave with my heart full.”