Fanny Smith
A Swiss ski cross dynamo whose aggressive, come-from-behind racing style has made her a perennial force on the World Cup circuit.
Born 1992 (age 34)·Swiss freestyle skier·Birthday: May 20·Millennials
Biography
Fanny Smith is the embodiment of ski cross: fearless, tactical, and relentlessly competitive. In a discipline known as 'roller derby on snow,' defined by its chaotic pack racing and high-speed contact, Smith has been a constant contender for over a decade. Her career is a highlight reel of explosive starts and daring passes, amassing an enormous tally of World Cup podiums. The Olympic stage, however, delivered profound drama. Her initial bronze medal in Pyeongchang 2018 was controversially upgraded to a tie for silver, then later reinstated as bronze after a protracted legal battle. This adversity seemed to fuel her, and she returned to claim a definitive bronze in Beijing 2022. Smith's longevity and consistent aggression have cemented her status as one of ski cross's most recognizable and successful athletes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Fanny was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Fanny Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Fanny's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the ski cross World Championship gold medal in Voss, Norway in 2013.
- Earned two Olympic bronze medals in the women's ski cross event (2018, 2022).
- Achieved over 60 World Cup podiums, including numerous victories, throughout her career.
- Represented Switzerland in four consecutive Winter Olympics from 2010 to 2022.
Did You Know?
She initially trained in alpine skiing before switching to the newer discipline of ski cross.
Her 2018 Olympic medal underwent multiple changes due to a photo finish and subsequent legal appeals.
She is known for her intense physical training regimen tailored for the demands of ski cross.
“In ski cross, you don't race the clock, you race the others.”
