The 2025 Greete Poderat Young Athlete Scholarship has been awarded to snowboard cross athlete Mai Brit Teder. According to the jury, she stood out for her determination, international experience, and a clear Olympic ambition.

Mai Brit has a versatile sports background – she previously practiced rhythmic gymnastics, skateboarding, and alpine skiing. Her path to snowboard cross began with a free trial lesson in Otepää, and quickly developed into her main sport.

Teder is part of Team Estonia’s youth roster and is currently the only female snowboard cross athlete competing for Estonia. During the 2023/2024 season, she participated in 22 competitions, including all FIS World Cup stages, finishing her debut World Cup season ranked 27th overall. Her best results include:

  • 12th place at the Junior World Championships in France
  • 4th and 5th places at South American Cup events
  • Multiple Top 30 finishes at World Cup events in Canada, China, and Georgia

Mai Brit competing during the 2024 season

Her goal is to qualify for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. With only 32 athletes making the Olympic cut and Mai Brit currently ranked 28th in the world, the goal is well within reach. Preparations for the Olympic season begin in September with a six-week training camp in Argentina alongside her international training group.

A student of the Otepää branch of Audentes Sports Gymnasium, Mai Brit is dedicated to both her academic and athletic development. Her coach, Magnar Freimuth, who has worked with her for three seasons, writes:

“It’s rare to see a young athlete who is both talented and hardworking. No matter the conditions or challenges, she always delivers quality work. Her ambition and discipline will take her to the top – she fully deserves this support in pursuing her Olympic dream.”

Notably, Mai Brit applied for the scholarship for a second time, demonstrating her persistence and commitment to a professional sports career. The jury was impressed by her development, focus, and thought-out goals.

The Greete Poderat Young Athlete Scholarship was established in 2020 to honor the memory of Greete Poderat – a talented and inspiring young skier from Otepää who passed away at just 22 years old.

Although Greete’s skiing career was cut short due to injury, she remained deeply active, participating in the Southwestern Advantage student program, investing, and staying engaged in recreational sports. The annual scholarship awards €1200 to one young athlete with the drive and potential to reach elite-level sports.

The scholarship is issued by the Southwestern Advantage Foundation, whose mission is to support youth entrepreneurship education and personal development in European countries where the Southwestern Advantage student program operates.

“Wake up with determination, go to sleep with satisfaction.”

Greete Poderat (18.05.1996 – forever)

Our big dream is to become the largest investment-based charity fund in Eastern Europe. We’re here to help young people gain knowledge and build character so they can turn their dreams into reality. We’re passionate about giving European youth better access to entrepreneurship education and teaching investment skills to those who don’t usually get the chance. Plus, we’re working hard to cut down poverty and stop it before it starts.

We put our efforts into charitable projects that match our mission. Here’s the cool part: we only donate from the fund’s passive income. Half of the returns (50%) go straight to charity, and the other half (50%) gets reinvested into the fund. That way, your support keeps doing good forever.

Want to help us make a difference? Donate here