Growing up in a unique environment like New Zealand it’s
almost impossible to get bored. I remember as a kid my parents would drive my
sister, brother and I up to Mt Hutt each weekend for some sweet fun on the
slopes. We all started out in Mogul Munchers – yes the crazy kid’s
straight-lining it down the mountain without a care in the world!
With each winter there was a family trip down South to Queenstown with my
cousins, aunt and uncle. And boy did we create havoc! I remember saying goodbye
to our parents as the 5 of us kids speed off and took the mountain by storm!!
I was the crazy one, if ever dared something I would do it without thinking
twice.
This of course, didn’t always go in my favour. Such as the time when I was 12
and a team mate dared me to go off the biggest jump in the terrain park. Being
the wild-hearted kid I was I accepted the challenge. So typical me, I straight-line
it to the jump, no speed-check whatsoever, and FLEW!! Of course I crash landed
and it was a yard sale, but I did it.
And that’s the type of kid I was, and still am today.
I’ve always know that I was different, and in truth I’ve
always wanted to be different. As a
teenager I had my experiences; pushed the boundaries with my parents, been
given detention because I either didn’t do my homework or being the open-minded
person I am – expressed my differing opinion towards the teacher, volunteered as a leader for YMCA camps (still do), happily
gave my time to help at the Ronald McDonald House, travelled to the other side
of the word by myself at the age of 16, I went to a private school most of my
life but in my final year I decided to have a change – packed my bags and moved
to Queenstown for the year attending the public school there. I have already lived
the life of a teenager and now I have my dreams and goals to focus on.
I believe all these things, and more have shaped me into the
person I am today. I have to thank my parents for the ongoing support they have
given me, they are both inspirational people who have shown me that if you set
your mind to it, your heart will follow and you will achieve anything.
When I was put into Team Hutt everyone thought it was just a
phase; that I would figure out soon enough that skiing wasn’t my thing. But
they were wrong. I knew from the word go that skiing is what I am here to do –
my passion for it cannot be explained. Call me crazy but standing in full suit
spandex, -20 degrees out with wind chill added onto that, sure it sucks, but
it’s all worth it when I get to race. Nothing matters anymore; it’s just me and
the course.
Seasons later, I am now a competitive ski racer chasing the
athlete dream of Olympics and the World Cup. I want to represent my country and
make skiing history. I want to be the best in the world, and I want others to
know it.
