What inspired Makayla Gerken Schofield's move to the French Alps?

Makayla Gerken Schofield's family moved to the French Alps when she was six so that she and her siblings could have a future in skiing.

What is Makayla Gerken Schofield's background in mogul skiing?

Makayla Gerken Schofield is a Team GB skier who achieved an eighth-place finish at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and is now preparing for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

How does Makayla Gerken Schofield approach her Olympic competitions?

Schofield aims to enjoy her skiing, believing that this mindset leads to her best performance, and she is excited by the vibrant atmosphere at the 2026 Olympics.

Home / Sports / Family's Alpine Leap Fuels Olympic Dream

Family's Alpine Leap Fuels Olympic Dream

10 Feb

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Summary

Skier Makayla Gerken Schofield moved to France aged six.
The family's move was for her and siblings' skiing careers.
She competes in the 2026 Winter Olympics mogul event.

Family's Alpine Leap Fuels Olympic Dream

Makayla Gerken Schofield, a Team GB skier, attributes her sporting success to a "daunting" lifestyle change made when her family moved from Chelmsford, Essex, to the French Alps at age six. This bold decision was motivated by a desire to provide a future in skiing for Makayla and her two siblings.

Now 26, Schofield is preparing to compete in the women's mogul skiing event at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She aims to "have fun on my skis and enjoy it, because that's when I do my best," recalling her eighth-place finish at Beijing 2022.

Schofield trained for the first time in Livigno, Italy, on Monday, ahead of the competition. The move to France was initially challenging, with the young skier finding the French school system overwhelming. Despite initial homesickness, she is now grateful for the experience.