Sidney Barbier, a Steamboat Springs native and University of Denver Nordic skier, has been named a finalist for the 2025 Honda Inspiration Award by the Collegiate Women's Sports Awards.
The Honda Inspiration Award is given to a collegiate female student-athlete who has overcome physical or emotional adversity while working toward a return to athletics. It has been awarded for 37 years.
Barbier, 22, suffered from health challenges due to nutcracker syndrome for nearly seven years. She experienced severe abdominal pain while attending Steamboat Mountain School and the pain only worsened over the years.
After being misdiagnosed several times, it was determined in spring 2024 that Barbier had nutcracker syndrome -- a rare vascular condition that compresses the renal vein, causing severe pain.
Barbier underwent a first-of-its-kind surgery after the diagnosis and managed to compete nearly pain-free this winter for the first time since she was a freshman in high school. She completed all 10 collegiate races she competed in and finished as high as 19th in the women's 10K freestyle at the Denver Invitational in February.
"It means a lot that I have a chance to share my story," said Barbier in a Wednesday news release. "Having talked with a lot of other women my age that are going through this same thing, it is important to me to be that voice for those that are dealing with nutcracker syndrome, especially young women.
"I hope nobody has to go through this, but if they are, I want people to know that there is hope out there," she added. "The award's name is the Inspiration Award, so to be able to be that inspiration, even for just one person, is a huge honor and is something I don't take lightly."
The stories of the award's three finalists will be shared at 4 p.m. June 23 on CBS Sports Network in a special titled, "Defying the Odds: The 2025 Honda Inspiration Award."
The program will re-air throughout that week, including a final time at 4:30 p.m. June 30, leading into the broadcast of the 2025 Collegiate Women's Sports Awards.
"I am extremely proud of Sidney with everything she has gone through, and we all at DU skiing and the University of Denver are thrilled that she is a finalist for this year's Honda Inspiration Award," said Denver Head Nordic Skiing Coach Rogan Brown. "Sidney is a tremendous role model and is an inspiration for not only our team but for others as well."