ALPINE SKIING: Ross Peraudo started skiing as a way to get to school, but now it may see him represent Australia at the Olympics.
ALPINE SKIING: Ross Peraudo started skiing as a way to get to school, but now it may see him represent Australia at the Olympics.
At the age of just 20 Ross Peraudo is Australia’s top ranked competitor on the FIS (International Ski Federation) base list and is looking to compete in the Giant Slalom and Slalom events as part of the Olympic alpine skiing program in Sochi next year.
One factor which has no doubt led to Peraudo’s talent on skis was his childhood in Italy, something which certainly gives him a competitive edge over his fellow Australians.
“I live on the top of a mountain in Italy,” Peraudo said from his Australian training base in Jindabyne. “I’ve always skied and used to ski to get to school.”
When Peraudo was 10 he began skiing competitively in a club, but it was not until he was 14 or 15 when he began to take things more seriously as his results improved. In the lead up to Sochi, Peraudo has just competed in his first year of FIS World Cup and Europa Cup events.
“It’s all new to me. I didn’t go that well, but I’ve learned a lot and I hope to get better with the difficult courses and difficult conditions pushing my skiing. In the coming season I’m hoping to improve my results in the FIS races and hope to break into the top 30.”
At the moment Peraudo is training with the Australian Olympic Winter Institute under his coach Stephen Edwards at Perisher in NSW.
“We are working hard on my physical fitness and strength. I am also learning how to stay solid in my turns and to deal with soft snow which can present tough conditions and then transitioning skiing on soft to harder snow.”
Peraudo is also wary of training partner British teenager Ashley Breese.
“If I’m not on my game I’m worried he might beat me,” he said of his fellow FIS competitor.
With the Sochi Winter Olympics fast approaching, Peraudo is certainly an up and coming talent to watch out for.
“I am excited about the Olympics for sure. I’m just going to give it my all, keep improving and see how I go.”
Peraudo will take part in the Alpine Skiing National Championships next week, taking place in Thredbo from 12 - 14 August. Follow the results on the Australian Team website and social media channels.
Tim Wakeling
olympics.com.au
@AUSOlympicTeam