Today’s feature is a U.S. Paralympic athlete who has made winning look like part of her daily routine—meet Brenna Huckaby. A five-time World Champion, she’s dominated SB-LL1 banked slalom and snowboard cross like it’s her personal playground.
And just to round things out, she also became the first Paralympian to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue—proving that redefining limits isn’t just something she does on the snow, it’s kind of her whole brand.
Who is Brenna Huckaby
Brenna Huckaby is the kind of athlete who treats podiums like repeat appointments. At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, she took home gold in both snowboard cross and banked slalom—because apparently one gold just felt a little lonely. She came back in 2022 and added another gold plus a bronze, keeping the medal collection very much alive and well.
Off the slopes, she made history as the first Paralympian to appear in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, casually expanding what representation in sports (and style) looks like. Sorry, but we just couldn’t stress that enough.
And in 2024, she picked up the ESPY for Best Athlete with a Disability—another well-earned reminder that dominating your sport and breaking barriers can, in fact, be a two-for-one deal.
Her Early Life
Brenna Huckaby was born on January 22, 1996, and grew up with two brothers—and a serious competitive streak. Before snowboarding ever entered the picture, she was a nationally ranked gymnast, which already tells you she wasn’t exactly aiming for “average.”
At 14, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and had most of her right leg amputated—a life-altering moment that would’ve stopped a lot of stories right there. Hers just took a sharp turn instead.
By 15, she was learning how to snowboard at the National Ability Center, trading balance beams for mountain slopes like it was just a change of scenery. And while most people her age were figuring out homework and weekend plans, she moved to Utah to chase snowboarding full-time. Casual teenage decision: relocate and become elite at a brand-new sport.
Career Journey
Brenna Huckaby wasted absolutely no time turning talent into titles. She picked up her first world championship in 2015, then doubled down in 2017 by winning both snowboard cross and banked slalom—because choosing just one clearly wasn’t her style.
At the 2018 Winter Paralympics, she delivered a near-perfect encore, taking gold in both events again. Same categories, same result: top of the podium, no notes.
She kept the momentum rolling at the 2021 World Para Snow Sports Championships in Lillehammer, grabbing gold in dual banked slalom and a silver in snowboard cross—just to keep the medal collection nicely balanced.
Now here’s where things get a little more “main character energy.” Brenna competes in the SB-LL1 classification, but heading into the 2022 Paralympics, there weren’t events available for women in that category. So what did she do? Took it to court—and won. Which meant she could compete… just in a different classification (SB-LL2). No big deal, right?
Except she then went on to win gold in banked slalom and bronze in snowboard cross anyway. Different category, same outcome: still beating everyone down the mountain.
Facts and Trivia
Brenna Huckaby balances elite competition with real life like it’s just another event on her schedule. She’s married to Tristan Clegg, and together they have two daughters—Lilah, born in 2016, and Sloan, who arrived in 2020. So yes, she’s raising a family and collecting medals. Multitasking, but make it world-class.
Ahead of the 2022 Beijing Games, things got complicated when the International Paralympic Committee removed her classification (LL1) from the program. Instead of sitting that one out, Huckaby challenged the decision—and won. She earned her spot back, competed, and (very on-brand) left with medals. Obstacles, meet Brenna. Brenna, meet more medals.
Off the snow, she’s just as driven. She co-founded Culxtured, a media collective focused on telling Para athlete stories, and regularly speaks through her platform, Gold Medal Mindset, where she encourages women to think bigger, push harder, and maybe stop underestimating themselves while they’re at it.
Brenna Huckaby Photos
Follow Brenna on Instagram for the latest about her personal life.
And do check out our Brenna Huckaby page for more of her pictures.
