Women of Winter Wednesdays - Miff Rennie

As athletes took centre stage in Italy, another vital part of Team Australia was bringing the action to life for audiences back home.

For freestyle skier Miff Rennie, the Games marked a full-circle moment, one shaped by resilience, reinvention and a deep love for storytelling.

Snow Australia spoke with Rennie about her journey from Olympic hopeful to expert commentator, and what it means to contribute to the Games in a different capacity.

To understand her role in Milano Cortina, Rennie rewinds four years.

At the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, she was just 18 and had qualified to compete. A couple of months before the Games, a serious knee injury ruled her out.

“It was incredibly difficult at the time,” Rennie said.

But in what she now describes as a silver lining, she was offered an opportunity to work with Seven Network as a commentator.

Over the past four years, that unexpected door has shaped a new path.

“I’ve truly fallen in love with sports media and storytelling,” she said.

At Milano-Cortina, Rennie served as expert commentator for the freestyle skiing events, bringing technical insight, athlete perspective and emotion to audiences back home.

“Being able to share athletes’ stories, highlight their journeys, and bring our sport to life for viewers is something I don’t take for granted,” she said.

“It’s a real privilege and I love it.”

While her Olympic dream has always been to compete, Rennie says the experience of contributing in another role felt deeply meaningful.

“The Olympics are special to everyone involved. There’s a unique energy, a sense of unity, pride, and shared purpose that’s hard to replicate anywhere else,” she said.

“It’s a celebration of culture, peace, and possibility. It’s a place for dreamers.

“I have always dreamed of competing at the Games, and while that hasn’t happened for me yet, being part of the Olympics in a different capacity felt incredibly meaningful. Commentating, telling stories, and narrating a sport I love felt aligned with where I’m meant to be right now. I'm proud to have contributed in that way.”

One of her personal highlights came in the women’s freeski halfpipe final, calling the performance of 16-year-old Australian Indra Brown.

“Watching her rise to the moment on that stage was inspiring,” Rennie said.

Another standout moment was commentating the gold medal run of Eileen Gu, the sixth of Gu’s medal performances Rennie has had the privilege to call.

“This one felt different,” she said.

“Her performance throughout the Games was extraordinary. Early on, she said she felt she had nothing to prove and was competing purely for herself and for the love of the sport, and I could genuinely see that in her skiing.

“It felt like more than just a win. It was a moment for her, for women’s skiing, and for every young girl watching with a dream and I felt incredibly proud to be part of that.”

Rennie believes roles behind the scenes carry more influence than many realise.

“I truly believe there is space for anyone who brings passion, knowledge, and commitment to what they do,” she said.

“Often, it’s the people who are willing to learn, immerse themselves, and genuinely care about the craft who earn those opportunities.”

She points to the women’s snowboard slopestyle final as an example of how non-athlete roles can shape the future of a sport.

“The progression in women’s snowboarding over the past decade has been extraordinary,” she said.

“That growth is driven not only by athletes, coaches and families, but also by decision-makers such as judges. The way performances are rewarded can influence the trajectory of the sport. It highlights how powerful these behind-the-scenes roles truly are. They help shape the future.”

Her advice to anyone aspiring to attend a future Games in a non-athlete capacity is simple: stay curious and lean into what sparks your passion.

“For me, that’s women’s sport and storytelling,” she said.

“Learn constantly, stay curious, and identify what truly sparks your passion and then lean into it fully.”

As for what’s next, Rennie hopes to strike a balance between her two worlds.

“I’d love to spend time back on skis and in the mountains, while also continuing to grow within the media space,” she said.

“I genuinely enjoy working in sports media, having meaningful conversations about athletes, sharing stories, and contributing to the industry in a positive way.

“As long as I’m working in a field I’m passionate about and finding time to connect with the mountains along the way, I feel I’ll be on the right path.”

If there’s one reflection these Games reinforced for her, it’s perspective.

“Life doesn’t always unfold in the way we expect, but it can still unfold beautifully,” she said.

“To any athlete who has faced long-term injury, missed a team, or experienced setbacks: the road doesn’t end there. Work hard, stay open, and say yes to opportunities, even the unexpected ones. You never know which door might lead you somewhere just as meaningful, or even more aligned than you originally imagined.”

Because while some dreams evolve, the love of sport and the impact you can have within it remains just as powerful, whether on the snow or behind the microphone.