What an absolutely incredible Olympic Games
experience.
I came into Sochi with a completely
different approach to Vancouver. Vancouver 2010 was my first Olympics. I was
young (21 years old), new to the sport of Ski Cross, eyes wide open and ready
to soak up the Olympic experience. Being an Olympian was what I dreamed of ever
since I first started to compete, and it was fantastic. I finished 15th
in the first ever Ski Cross Olympic Games event.
Since 2010, I have matured as an athlete. I
know myself. I know what works and what doesn’t work on and off the slopes, and
what was required in order to achieve a personal best result in Sochi.
This time round, being my second Olympics, the
focus was all about the race. I didn’t march in the Opening Ceremony so I could
stay in Austria and train for an extra few days. I participated in activities
that I could in the athletes’ village, as long as it didn’t interfere with my
training regime. As much as I would have loved to support many of my Australian
teammates compete from the grandstands prior to my race, I chose to watch on
live from the Australia House. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend one
Australian medal celebration. I congratulated Torah, Lydia and Dave personally
instead. Every decision I made was geared towards giving myself the absolute
best opportunity to perform on the day. And it 100% payed off.
Just over a week ago, I finished 7th
in the Ski Cross at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic Games. It was Australia’s
best ever Olympic female result in the discipline, and the highlight of my
career.
We managed to get one of the worst weather
days of the whole Sochi Games. Rain, snow, fog and warm temperatures. This
didn’t bother me and if anything I managed to turn it into an advantage. After
all, being from Australia, this is what we learnt to ski in!
The first great surprise of the day was
when I caught a glimpse of my mum, dad and boyfriend in the stands. It was pouring
with rain and we had just done our first training run. I came to the bottom,
drenched from head to toe, and heard some cheering. The stand was completely
empty, not a person in site, except for the three of them covered in plastic
ponchos. That put a massive smile on my face!
All of the training, both physical and
mental, seemed to come together on the day. I had a solid qualification run,
posting the 11th fastest time in a field of 28 competitors.
My first heat went exactly to plan. I came
out of the start gate in second place, and held my position right to the finish
line. No risky moves, no crazy passing attempts, just enough to get through to
the quarterfinals.
In the next round I had a terrible start. I
miss-timed the first feature and was well back in last. For just a split second
I thought it was over. Then all of the training I have done over the past four
years kicked in; I didn’t come this far to get knocked out on a small mistake
in the start! I fought back hard, making a pass on Yulia Livinskaya of Russia
midway down the course (much to the crowd’s disappointment) putting myself into
third. Then in a bold move right on the last turn, it was now or never. I went
for it. In this sport I would rather go down trying than not trying at all. I
risked it all and made an inside pass on both Marielle Thompson of Canada and
Sanna Luedi of Switzerland. The move was not random; it was carefully studied
from hours of video analysis. It was a passing opportunity I had sitting in the
back of my head until I needed to use it. I crossed the finish line in second. What
an incredible feeling to come from last to second and qualify myself a spot for
the semi finals.
I couldn’t celebrate yet though. I still
had two more runs to get through, and hopefully a chance for a medal in the big
final.
In the semis I somehow avoided a massive
pile-up with Sandra Neslund from Sweden on the top section of the course. This
crushed my speed and I was unable to finish in the top two needed to progress
through to the big final. In the small final I finished third, putting me in 7th
place overall. When I crossed the finish line after my sixth and final run for
the day, the first thing I did was look to the crowd. I was so excited and
exhilarated, and I couldn’t think of anyone better to share it with than my
family there in the stands. It was an incredible experience, and I couldn’t
wipe the smile off my face.
I am absolutely delighted with the result.
My goal in Sochi was a top eight, and it is extremely satisfying to come home
having achieved that. I have been overwhelmed by the amount of support I have
received from friends, family and fans back home. I am so excited that this event
put people on the edges of their seats. After all it’s why I love the sport!
It’s thrilling to watch, and even more incredible to compete in. It makes you
feel alive.
I feel like I gave it my absolute best
effort the race hill that day. And it is a nice feeling to have. I will not be
finishing out the last four World Cup races of the season. After spending less
than eight weeks at home in the last 12 months, it’s time to go home and celebrate
this victory with my friends and family.
I would like to take this opportunity to
thank everyone who has helped me to achieve this incredible Olympic Games
result. It was truly a team effort on many parts.
Thank you to my long-time coach Matt Lyons,
who has been working with me for the past eight years, and who has built a
world-class Australian Ski Cross program from scratch. To Danny Geiger and
Shawn Fleming, who have been exceptionally supportive coaches, and have offered
a new dimension to my skiing over the past three years. To my brilliant and
talented ski technician Marcos Ruiz Nevaro, who has been with the team and I
since 2009, and has produced exceptional results. To my teammates Jenny Owens,
Sami Kennedy Sim, Anton Grimus and Scott Kneller. I have gained so much from
you all. It’s been one crazy journey to the Games together. To the
physiotherapists who worked with me this season, Anthony Williams and Aerin De
Leva. Thanks for keeping my body in one piece in such a gruelling sport! To strength
and conditioning coach John Marsden, who got my fitness and strength to a level
I didn’t think was possible. To nutritionist Siobhan Crawshay, who helped me
put on the muscle I needed to over the past two years, and was an incredible
help throughout the Games period. To the Olympic doctors Larissa Trease and Doc
Braun, sports psychologist Ferry Lee, and to all of the AOC staff who made the
Olympic Games a smooth-sailing experience for all of the athletes.
A big thank you to the Australian Olympic
Commission, Olympic Winter Institute, the Victorian Institute of Sport and the
NSW Institute of Sport for their world class training programs; and to the
University of Melbourne for allowing me to achieve my academic goals as well as
my sporting goals.
To my personal sponsors; Rip Curl, 2XU, POC
Australia, Thule, XTM, Komperdell, Stoeckli and Premax, thank you for choosing me
as an ambassador for your brand, having faith in me and supporting me over the
years.
Last but not least, to my partner, my
parents, my family and my friends, for the unwavering support ever since I had
the crazy idea of becoming a dual Olympian. There have been many ups and downs,
but ultimately it has been one hell of a journey to remember and cherish
forever.
And now for the best part; some pictures that probably describe my Olympic experience better than I can...
I can't remember what was so funny, but obviously pretty happy to be in Sochi...!
Meeting the big Russian Babushka. Sami, Aerin, myself and Olympic Champion Marielle Thompson from Canada.
Having some fun in the rings with Sami and Aerin.
Training two days prior to the race in some finer weather. Photo by Getty Images.
Race Day. Looking a little gloomy at 7am.
Some inspiration from mum prior to my race. Race conditions look a little similar?!
Absolute troopers. Mum, Liam and Dad in the pouring rain and empty stands in the early morning. That's commitment!
Qualification Run. Photo by GEPA.
Photo by Getty Images.
Photo by Getty Images.
Happy to have qualified in 11th, and soaking up the atmosphere. Photo by Getty Images.
Vying for position in the first heat. Photo by Getty Images.
Celebrating going through to quarter finals with Sanna Leudi of Switzerland. Photo by Getty Images.
Sanna Leudi (Switzerland), myself and Marielle Thompson (Canada) racing for the top two spots in the quarter finals. Photo by GEPA.
Making a pass on the inside on the final turn of the course. Image by AAP.
Photo by Getty Images.
Getting tangled in the Small Final. Katrin Offner (Austria), myself, Sandra Neslund (Sweden) and Fanny Smith (Switzerland). Photo by Getty Images.
Fanny Smith having some fun on the last jump back in fourth in the Small Final. Photo by Getty Images.
Looking towards Mum, Dad and Liam in crowd after finishing seventh. Photo by Getty Images.
My number one fans.
Happened to come across good friend and ex-Olympic Ski Cross racer from Japan, Noriko Fukushima. A great surprise!
Long-time team mate Jenny Owens and I celebrate after the race.
Marcos and I wrapped with a great result.
My friends back on Melbourne enjoying the Women's Ski Cross event live!
Finally, it's time! Anton shaves his beloved beard for a good cause; the Rob Kneller Youth Foundation, aimed at raising funds to increase youth participation and excellence in snow sports in the Jindabyne area. http://www.robknelleryouthfoundation.com/
Can't even recognise him!
Finally able to check out a few events. The grand stand for the mens slalom night event.
Sochi t-shirt anyone?
Mens night slalom.
The coastal athletes village in Sochi.
Sochi 2014 Ski Cross Team shot.
Melbourne University athletes Anton Grimus, Brody Summers and I.
Closing ceremony march. Soaking up the last hours of the Games with my team mates.
The Closing Ceremony. Image by AAP.