1. Early life and family
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's formative years laid the foundation for her future in snowboarding, rooted in a diverse family background and an early relocation to New Zealand.
1.1. Birth and Family
Zoi Katherine Sadowski-Synnott was born on 6 March 2001 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Her family background is international, with her father, Sean Synnott, being a New Zealander, and her mother, Robin Sadowski, being American. She has four siblings.
1.2. Move to New Zealand and Education
Sadowski-Synnott initially spent her early childhood in the Sydney suburb of Newport. When she was six years old, her family relocated to Wānaka, New Zealand, a move that would prove pivotal for her burgeoning snowboarding career. She received her secondary education at Mount Aspiring College in Wānaka.
2. Career
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's professional snowboarding career is marked by a rapid ascent through the ranks, characterized by groundbreaking achievements and consistent podium finishes across the sport's most prestigious events.
2.1. Early Career and International Debut
Sadowski-Synnott began her international competitive career with notable success. In 2017, she earned a silver medal in the slopestyle event at the FIS Snowboard World Championships held in Sierra Nevada, Spain. She also placed fourth in the big air discipline at the same championships.
Her Olympic debut came at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. At just 16 years old, she won a bronze medal in the women's big air competition, becoming only the second New Zealander to win a Winter Olympic medal, following Annelise Coberger's silver in 1992. During the big air qualifying round, Sadowski-Synnott made history by becoming the first woman to successfully land a switch backside 900 (riding in an unnatural stance and performing 2.5 rotations in the backside direction) in a competitive setting. She also competed in the women's slopestyle event, finishing in 13th place. Her bronze medal briefly made her New Zealand's youngest-ever Olympic medalist, a record that was surpassed later the same day by Nico Porteous. Following her impressive performance, she was selected as New Zealand's flag bearer for the 2018 Winter Olympics closing ceremony, becoming the nation's youngest-ever flag bearer.
2.2. Olympic Games
Sadowski-Synnott has made a significant impact at the Winter Olympic Games, achieving historic firsts for New Zealand.
At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, she secured a bronze medal in the women's big air event. This achievement marked New Zealand's first Winter Olympic medal in 26 years.
Her performance at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, was particularly historic. On 6 February 2022, Sadowski-Synnott won the gold medal in the women's slopestyle event. This victory made her New Zealand's first-ever gold medalist at the Winter Olympics. She followed this up with a silver medal in the women's big air competition, making her the first New Zealander to win multiple medals at a single Winter Olympics.
2.3. FIS World Championships
Sadowski-Synnott has consistently performed at the FIS Snowboard World Championships, securing multiple medals across her career.
In 2017, at the World Championships in Sierra Nevada, Spain, she won a silver medal in slopestyle and placed fourth in big air. She claimed her first World Championship gold medal in 2019, winning the slopestyle title at the event held in Park City, Utah. In 2021, at the World Championships in Aspen, Colorado, she added another gold medal in slopestyle and a silver medal in big air. Her success continued into 2023, where she secured a silver medal in the slopestyle event at the World Championships in Bakuriani, Georgia.
2.4. Winter X Games
The Winter X Games have been a consistent platform for Sadowski-Synnott's dominance in snowboarding, where she has amassed numerous gold and silver medals.
She made a strong impression at the 2019 Winter X Games in Aspen, Colorado, winning gold in slopestyle and silver in big air. In March 2020, she secured another gold medal in the slopestyle event at the Winter X Games in Hafjell, Norway. The 2021 Winter X Games in Aspen saw her win a silver medal in slopestyle and a bronze in big air. Her performance at the 2022 Winter X Games in Aspen was exceptional, as she claimed gold medals in both the slopestyle and big air events. She successfully defended her slopestyle gold medal at the 2023 Winter X Games in Aspen, also adding a silver medal in big air.
2.5. Other Major Competitions
Beyond the Olympics and World Championships, Sadowski-Synnott has also achieved significant victories in other major snowboarding events.
In March 2019, she won the slopestyle event at the US Open in Vail, Colorado. This victory completed a "triple crown" for her, encompassing the US Open title, an X Games gold, and a World Championship title within a short period. In December 2021, she claimed victory in the women's snowboard slopestyle event at the invite-only Winter Dew Tour in Copper Mountain, Colorado. In January 2022, she finished second in the slopestyle event at the U.S. Grand Prix World Cup event in California, USA.
2.6. Summary of Competitive Record
The following table summarizes Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's results in major international competitions:
| Year | Event | Location | Rank | Discipline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Sierra Nevada, Spain | 2nd | Slopestyle |
| 2017 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Sierra Nevada, Spain | 4th | Big air |
| 2018 | Winter Olympics | Pyeongchang, South Korea | 13th | Slopestyle |
| 2018 | Winter Olympics | Pyeongchang, South Korea | 3rd | Big air |
| 2019 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2019 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 2nd | Big air |
| 2019 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Park City, Utah | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2019 | US Open | Vail, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2020 | Winter X Games | Hafjell, Norway | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2021 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 2nd | Slopestyle |
| 2021 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 3rd | Big air |
| 2021 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Aspen, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2021 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Aspen, Colorado | 2nd | Big air |
| 2021 | Winter Dew Tour | Copper Mountain, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2022 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2022 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 1st | Big air |
| 2022 | Winter Olympics | Beijing, China | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2022 | Winter Olympics | Beijing, China | 2nd | Big air |
| 2023 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 1st | Slopestyle |
| 2023 | Winter X Games | Aspen, Colorado | 2nd | Big air |
| 2023 | FIS Snowboard World Championships | Bakuriani, Georgia | 2nd | Slopestyle |
3. Awards and Recognition
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's exceptional achievements in snowboarding have been recognized with several prestigious awards and honors in New Zealand.
In recognition of her outstanding performance, particularly her historic Olympic gold and silver medals, she was awarded the Lonsdale Cup for 2022 by the New Zealand Olympic Committee. This award acknowledges outstanding achievement by a New Zealand athlete or team.
Further cementing her status as a national sporting icon, Sadowski-Synnott was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in the 2023 New Year Honours for her significant services to snow sports.
4. Personal Life
Publicly available information regarding Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's personal life outside of her professional snowboarding career is limited. She maintains a focus on her athletic pursuits and training.
5. Impact and Legacy
Zoi Sadowski-Synnott's impact on the sport of snowboarding, particularly in New Zealand, is profound. As the nation's first Winter Olympic gold medalist and first multi-medalist at a Winter Games, she has shattered previous barriers and redefined what is possible for New Zealand athletes in winter sports.
Her success has significantly raised the profile of snowboarding within New Zealand and globally, inspiring a new generation of aspiring athletes. Sadowski-Synnott serves as a powerful role model, especially for young women, demonstrating the rewards of dedication, perseverance, and pushing the boundaries of athletic performance. Her pioneering spirit and consistent achievements have established a lasting legacy, paving the way for future New Zealand winter Olympians and reinforcing the country's growing presence on the international snow sports stage.
[https://www.snowsports.co.nz/about-us/our-athletes/our-snowboarders/zoi-sadowski-synnott/ Zoi Sadowski-Synnott at Snow Sports NZ]
[https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/athlete-biography.html?sectorcode=SB&competitorid=204366 Zoi Sadowski-Synnott at the International Ski Federation]
[https://www.xgames.com/athletes/zoi-sadowski-synnott Zoi Sadowski-Synnott at X Games]
[https://www.instagram.com/zoisynnott Zoi Sadowski-Synnott on Instagram]