Young Stars of the Winter Youth Games

Imagine teenagers carving down icy slopes like rockets, leaping through the air on skis and snowboards, and gliding gracefully on skates.

This is the adrenaline brought by the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG), where young athletes aged 15 to 18 get their first taste of the big leagues. They show off their incredible skills and all their dedication in hopes of being a true Olympian.  

From skaters who seem to defy gravity with their spins and jumps to racers who blur the line between athlete and machine, the competition is fierce and exciting. But beyond the established events, there were some amazing newcomers who stole the show.   

A Glimpse into the Future of Winter Sports   

The Winter Youth Olympics happens every two years and gives the world a chance to see the next generation of winter sports stars. With 73 countries competing and 1,803 athletes, the 2024 Games held in Gangwon Province, South Korea, left everyone in a blast. From heart-stopping downhill races to mind-blowing freestyle skiing tricks, spectators were left at the edge of their seats.

Fans who couldn't be there in person were able to stream the moguls event at YOG and other competitions live online, experiencing the energy and electrifying atmosphere of the games firsthand. Now, let's meet some of the young athletes who really shined!    

Stars on Ice    

At the Gangwon 2024 YOG, three young figure skaters wowed the crowds with their performances. They were both technically skilled and super entertaining to watch.   

One skater to watch is Shin Jia from South Korea. She's already a rising star, having won silver medals at a big competition two years in a row. Her graceful movements and expressive routines make her a joy to watch, making her garner a whooping score of 191.83, placing second after Shimada Mao during the women's free skate match last January 30, 2024.

But before this, she also graced the women's short program match with a score of 66.48, securing her third spot. With her performance, many believe she'll be a top contender soon.

Now, from Japan, there's Shimada Mao, who brings both artistry and athleticism to the ice. This undeniable skill made her bag a score of 71.05 in the women's short program event (January 28) and 196.99 during the women's free skate match (January 30). These staggering scores placed her first in both events. 

Her routines show how much she cares about both the technical and artistic sides of figure skating. She leaves audiences wanting more, and with her talent and dedication, she's sure to be a force to be reckoned with in the years to come.    

Snowboarding Sensations    

Snowboarding is all about cool tricks and daring jumps. At the YOG, two young Korean athletes, Choi Gaon, and Lee Chaeun, dominated the slopes, leaving everyone on the edge of their seats.   

Choi Gaon, who's only 15 years old, made history by becoming the youngest female snowboarder to win a gold medal in halfpipe during the X games. This made her a double Olympic champion, which Chloe Kim—her mentor—used to hold.   

This is just the latest achievement in her amazing rise to the top. In December 2023, she surprised everyone again by winning the senior World Cup against older snowboarders! With her exceptional talent and fearless approach, Choi Gaon is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, and we'll surely hear her name for years to come.

Joining Choi Gaon on the podium is Lee Chaeun, another South Korean snowboarder who wowed audiences with his incredible halfpipe skills. He's a master of technical moves and isn't afraid to try daring tricks in the air. This is why he was selected for the Beijing 2022 team. Later on, he won the halfpipe world title in 2023. Following his streak, he garnered two podium wins at the senior World Cup (Secret Garden) and Copper Mountain. 

With both Choi and Lee showcasing their talent at the YOG, the future of snowboarding looks bright! This also gives them the perfect head start for Milano Cortina 2026.  

Curling's New Prodigies  

The Gangwon 2024 Winter Youth Olympics also saw the rise of two curling stars at the Gangneung Curling Centre: siblings Jacob and Katrine Schmidt from Denmark.   

Their team made it all the way to the finals in the mixed curling event, where they faced Great Britain.

They even had a big lead early on, thanks to a smart shot by Jacob.

But Great Britain slowly caught up and forced the game into an extra round.

Despite a great effort, Denmark ended up winning the silver medal. Their strong performance at the Youth Olympics makes them athletes to watch for in future curling competitions.  

The Schmidt siblings come from a family of curlers—their parents, Ulrik Schmidt, and Lisa Richardson, are both Olympic legends who reigned with a European title in 1992. They're aiming to continue the family tradition and compete on the world stage.   

In Closing    

These winter sports are a stepping stone on the path to Olympic glory, giving young athletes the opportunity to experience the big platform, the pressure of competition, and the feeling of winning. More importantly, such games give them a platform to show off their talent, passion, and determination. The athletes who competed at Gangwon 2024 are the ones we'll be cheering on at the Olympic podiums of tomorrow, and their journeys are just beginning. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Fred Felton          

Content Creator / Editor

Fred Felton is a copywriter, editor and social media specialist based in Durban, South Africa. He has over 20 years of experience in creating high end content. He has worked with some of the biggest brands in the world. Currently Fred specialises in the winter outdoors space, focussing on skiing and snowboarding. He is also a keynote speaker and has presented talks and workshops in South Africa.