SKI CROSS: Doug Crawford and Zali Offord are set for the experience of their lives with their selection confirmed on the Australian Team for the Lillehammer 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games.
The outstanding young ski racers excelled in the Australian domestic season before sharpening their skills on the European circuit, ahead of hearing they were set to compete on the famous slopes of Lillehammer against the world’s best young athletes.
“It feels unbelievable, the last week has just been insane waiting for confirmation and now that I’ve been selected, I'm just so excited,” said 17-year-old Offord from Helensburgh, who was named after one of Australia’s most famous Winter Olympians Zali Steggall.
“It’s just unbelievable to think that just a week ago I was focusing on my training and now I'm going to be going to the Youth Olympics next month.”
For Crawford it will be nothing short of an honour to represent Australia when Lillehammer 2016 kicks off on February 12.
“To wear the green and gold in Lillehammer will be a dream come true,” said the 17-year-old from Mansfield.
“Coming from a small town in country Victoria, you either go play AFL or you dream about Olympics.”
With their dreams set to be realised the pair are now training harder than ever in the lead-up to the second Winter Youth Games.
“My preparation for the Games is going well with plenty of technical skiing and I’m now looking forward to five races in Europe before flying in to Lillehammer,” continued Crawford.
Offord, who splits her time between competing in ski cross and alpine, is also looking forward to the busy month ahead.
“I've been training in Austria since November specifically in alpine and everything so far has been really good.
“I’m now heading to Sweden with the Australian Development Ski Cross Team to really focus on my ski cross racing in the lead up to racing in Lillehammer.”
The pair know they will have to push harder than ever before if they are achieve their goals at the home of the 1994 Winter Olympic Games.
“I expect the level of competition to be really high and think that everyone there will be going for the win, so it's going to be tough,” said Crawford.
“I am hoping to achieve the best result I can.”
No matter what the results are, Lillehammer will provide an unforgettable and invaluable experience for the 1,100 athletes who will converge on the famous winter city.
“I’ve never been to Lillehammer but I have heard a lot about its Olympic Games history,” said Offord.
“I am really excited to ski in Lillehammer and race on the course, especially knowing that World Cup skiers have competed there.
“I know that the course will be a challenging yet enjoyable one.”
The addition of the duo takes the Australian Team to a total of 10 athletes with another seven expected to be selected in the next few days.
Australia is set to feature in luge, biathlon, ice hockey – skills challenge, cross country skiing, snowboard, short track, alpine skiing and freestyle skiing.
Over 70 nations will compete in 70 events at the Lillehammer 2016 Games ensuring it will be a competition and education experience they will never forget.
Matt Bartolo
olympics.com.au
