Women of Winter: Rosie Fordham

Off the back of a standout performance at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, Rosie Fordham is rewriting the history books. 

At 24-years-old, Fordham has already made a name for herself on the world stage and wants to see Australia climb the ranks in cross country skiing. As well as winning a silver medal at the U23 World Championships, she achieved two top 20 finishes in the 2025 season.

Fordham's interest for the sport was first ignited during Interschools in year 8. From there, she started training with NSWXC. 

“I did well in my first race and so decided to join NSWXC for a camp at Charlotte Pass and roller skiing in Sydney,” Fordham said.

From those early days and to this day, the physicality of the sport is what Fordham loves most about competing.

“I find it really satisfying to use my entire physical capacity when racing,” she said. 

“There’s something about the euphoric feeling of completely emptying the tank that keeps me coming back to racing week after week. 

“I’m able to feel so smooth and powerful on skis while driving myself to complete physical exhaustion,” she said.

Beyond the physicality, a chance to defy expectations is what really drives Fordham. 

“I’ve really loved pushing the boundaries of what everyone thinks is possible for an Australian skier. I find myself hunting for the emotions I feel in and after the races where I surprise myself,” she said. 

But pushing boundaries also comes with challenges.

“I have had surgery on both my shoulders,” Fordham explained. “Both have had ten dislocations each, something needed to be done.” 

To give herself the best chance of success Fordham based herself in Alaska at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, under coach Eliska Albrigsten - one of her biggest influences. 

“She took a chance on me,” Fordham said. 

“Under her guidance I became the skier I am today. Without her and my university team, I wouldn’t be the skier I am today,” she said. 

Fordham’s silver at the U23 World Championship and two top 20s on the World Cup are undoubtedly top career highlights. 

“These three races unlocked a new level of belief for me, which has allowed me to dream for results I never thought possible for an Australian cross country skier,” Fordham said.

Having achieved so much, Fordham has set her sights on sitting amongst the world’s best and raising the bar of cross country skiing in Australia. 

“For as long as I’ve been in the sport we've aimed for top 30s, now that I’ve achieved that I’ve found myself thinking ‘why can’t I place higher? 

“In my mind, there’s no ceiling for how high Aussies can be on the results list.”

Enjoying what you do is Fordham's key message to herself and the next generation of cross country skiers. 

“Often as athletes we let our results dictate how we feel about ourselves,” she said. 

“At the end of the day the reason we ski is because it’s fun.

“It doesn’t matter how many races you win, you’re never going to feel satisfied if you aren’t enjoying yourself,” she said.