FREESTYLE – SKI HALFPIPE: As a kid Amy Sheehan spent much of her time in Byron Bay’s surf but now she is about to make her Olympic debut riding the crest of another wave.

The popular 27-year-old Olympic debutant has enjoyed by far the best period of her career in the last six weeks, with back-to-back World Cup podium finishes, which has left no doubt that she has arrived as one of the world’s best Halfpipe skiers.

With three of her four World Cup starts this season being top 10 finishes (two thirds, a 14th and an eighth) her career has selected another gear, blossoming to a level that she would not have predicted 12 months ago.

Much of the purple patch has been masterminded by coach and fiancé Chris Boghakian, who has provided technical and strategic advice, which has repaid the US-based Australian in bucketloads, and has gradually increased the momentum of her career since the end of last year.

Sheehan said that she is in a happy place going into her big day in Sochi on Thursday 20 February.

“The last four weeks have been amazing, giving me confidence heading into the Games,” she said.

“My main focus now is to perfect my runs.

“I am visualising it every day and can’t wait to get in the pipe.” 

Sheehan’s confidence is further buoyed by the memories of competing in the Sochi pipe last year and, if its condition is similar to 12 months ago, she believes that the circumstances will favour her style.

“I really enjoyed this pipe last year and hope that the sun stays shining for us for when we compete,” she said.

Sheehan said she is soaking up the atmosphere of being at her first Olympics, thanks to Ski Halfpipe being added to the Olympic program for the first time in early 2013.

“I think it finally sunk in when we walked into the Opening Ceremony,” she said.

“I was fighting back tears of joy. It was a very proud moment to realise that I am an Olympian.”

Sheehan gets to experience her Olympic dream with her friend and fellow Ski Halfpipe athlete Davina Williams, who snuck into the 24-women field with two solid World Cup performances in the three weeks leading up to the qualification cut-off date.

Williams, 28, is also making her Olympic debut after making it through injury setbacks for a number of years and a 10-month break from the sport.

The Australians’ prospects will be largely determined by the American duo of Devin Logan and Maddie Bowman who arrived in Sochi as the world’s number one and two ranked athletes, just ahead of Sheehan’s ranking of three.

The women’s field will consist of 24 athletes, who will drop into the pipe for two runs in qualifying.

The top 12 will advance to the final, for another two run shoot-out for the medals.