FREESTYLE SKIING: Ski cross, making its fourth appearance at the Olympic Games, is a high energy event that will have viewers glued to their TV screens and devices.
Skiers race head-to-head through a course with mixed terrain features including big air tabletops, rollers and banked slopes which all together resembles motocross on skis.
Sami Kennedy-Sim is making her record third appearance in ski cross for the green and gold. At 33 she stands as the lone Aussie racer in the event after scoring an impressive eighth place at the PyeongChang 2018 Games.
The Olympic Games for Sami represent the ultimate thrill.
“I am so proud to have been selected to represent Australia at my third Games,” Sami said.
“While these Games will be different from others I have experienced, there is really no better feeling than donning the green and gold on the world stage.”
Sami’s campaign to Beijing has yielded mixed fortunes. Her highlight was claiming an International Ski Federation World Cup podium in Arosa, Switzerland - only to suffer a season ending elbow injury in France a week later which ended her 2020-21 season prematurely.
Hard work and determination had the Sydneysider back on the ski slopes in time for the Australian ski season, which prepared Sami for the European Alps and the 2021-22 Word Cup season. The ski cross legend got any early taste of what was to come here in Beijing when she attended the season opening test event at Secret Garden in November, placing 7th in qualifying and 15th in the race overall.
Since then her form has been building throughout the season. At the most recent World Cup event in Idre Fjall, Sweden Sami won the small final to place fifth.
“I aim to build on my previous performances and progress through heat after heat to stand on the podium.”
While Canada has had a strangle hold on the Olympic title in women’s ski cross since its inception in 2010, Beijing 2022 has some serious contenders from other parts of the world including Sweden’s Sandra Naeslund. Naeslund is the current world champion and won all but one World Cup starts this season.
Also in contention is world no.2 Swiss veteran Fanny Smith who claimed bronze at PyeongChang 2018. Canada will be pinning their hopes on 2014 Olympic champion Marielle Thompson and 2018 silver medallist Brittany Phelan, who have impressed in recent World Cup competition.
As is often the case anything can happen in ski cross on the day. Catch Sami in seeding from 2:30pm AEDT on Thursday 17 February.
Chris Hocking
#HaveAGo
Freestyle Skiing
CAN YOU SKI IN AUSTRALIA?
Yes! There are 10 Ski Resorts in Australia that are easy to access.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Skiing is very affordable to #HaveAGo. You can rent all the equipment you need which is a low-cost way to try snowsports.
WHAT KIT DO I NEED?
All you need to get going is skis, poles, ski boots, a helmet, snow jacket, gloves and pants. All these items can be rented from ski shops to help get you started without having to buy everything for your first time.
