Meet Sami Kennedy-Sim. After two podium finishes on the Ski Cross Europa Cup circuit, Sami made her debut on the FIS Freestyle Skiing World Cups in Deer Valley Resort, USA in 2008. Sami finished her 2012 season being ranked 12th in the world and then went on to compete for Australia at the 2014 Winter Olympics in the ski cross events.

Perisher: The Sochi Olympic Games...

Sami: Sochi felt like a long time coming. I had a personal best result going into the Olympics and was feeling like I could pull a great result out on the day. That however, did not happen. I posted fast training times and proceeded to crash in my seeding run. I re-grouped, and felt strong in the finals. I was in the lead before getting caught up with a competitor and crashing for a second time that day. I have learned a lot since then about pressure and expectations. I have been working on my mental game to put me in line for a podium performance in Korea.

Perisher: Tell us how you got into the sport

Sami: I first did a Skier Cross event at 18 years old. I was instantly hooked on the adrenaline rush of racing head to head and transferred from Alpine racing over to Ski Cross.

Perisher: You started out in Perisher Winter Sports Club. What are some of the best memories growing up in this program?

Sami: I am proud to say that I am still really close with the friends I had as a 12 year old doing Winter Sports Club. Some of my best memories were getting fresh powder on powder days together, racing to the Skitube platform and travelling across Australia and the World with my team mates.

Perisher: Who did you look up to when you were going through Winter Sports Club?

Sami: Jono Brauer and Luke Dean were quite a big influence to me as a young athlete (not that they probably knew then!). Having exposure to National Team athletes at Perisher had a big impact on my skiing, and my decision to pursue skiing professionally.

Perisher: What are some of the most unexpected things you've found in this sport?

Sami: When you have four people racing against each other, you quickly reaslise that anything can happen. You may think that you are a ways in front but all of a sudden you can be overtaken. You have to learn to ski aggressively and defensively to protect your position. Each track and each day presents different conditions and you learn to be very versatile.

Perisher: What’s the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your career?

Sami: In April 2013, nine months before the Sochi Olympic Winter Games, I had a minor stroke. It was a scary time for me and my family, and it postponed my preparations for Sochi, but never deterred them. I worked hard in my rehabilitation and was able to be on snow training in Perisher late August. Since then I have become an Ambassador for the National Stroke Foundation and help to raise awareness of strokes in young people.

Perisher: Recovering from injury is a long process, how do you stay focused on the big picture?

Sami: Injury tests you in many ways - and the mental tests are the toughest. You are faced with this injury and make the decision to come back from it stronger and better than before, or not at all. It can make or break you. My advice is to just keep your eyes on the prize and make the most of the journey. No one ever won a gold medal over night, it is the story that captivates you.

Perisher: Who do you look up to now?

Sami: I keep a very close eye on my competition! We have a great sense of community within our World Cup tour and I want to learn from the best! I also follow the Moguls and Alpine World Cup tour closely and love the variety of training that they do.

Perisher: What was your breakout moment when you realised you could ski for a living?

Sami: I had a conversation with my (now) coach, who was a Winter Sports Club coach, who showed a lot of interest in my development and ability, as well as the sport of Ski Cross. We made a plan, pitched it to my stakeholders and had a shot at the big time. I am very fortunate that I learned how to operate independently from a young age and budget!

Perisher: In the summer months, how do you maintain the focus and motivation for a winter sport?

Sami: Summer? What’s that!! I guess my seasons in Perisher are my summer. Summer is spent training and preparing my body and equipment for the competition season. I am so lucky to have TWO winters and having Perisher as my base gives me an edge over the competition!

Perisher: Leaving your family and friends to train overseas, tell us what that’s like

Sami: Communication is critical. I spend about 2.5 months sleeping in my own bed because I am either competing on the World Cup tour, or training at Perisher, while my husband works out of Sydney. We make sure that we have planned periods of family time and make sure that Ben (my husband) comes to at least one competition overseas!

Perisher: When you’re not training, where do you love to ski with friends?

Sami: I love skiing from Mt P to Guthega and back to Perisher, and just exploring the amazing terrain that all four resort areas have. I am always finding new sneaky pow stashes and tree lines.

Perisher: What’s a run you have to do twice?

Sami: Zali’s!

Perisher: It’s great seeing more and more females in this sport – where do you see the sport headed?

Sami: Australian Winter Sports are so female dominant! It is great that we continue to produce strong athletes and are keeping females engaged in sport from a young age. We have more and more girls joining Winter Sports Club each year and there is power in numbers! More talent = more competition = better results!

Perisher: Is the lifestyle of an Olympic skier what people think?

Sami: Depends... This is how I would sum it up: Snow, Gym, Sweat, Tears, Laughter, Airports, and German Phrase books.

Perisher: Obviously to have the level of success you have obtained, you need to dedicate your entire life to skiing. What are your off-snow goals?

Sami: I started a company called Alpine Athletic. I work with young aspiring winter sports athletes and help them with goal setting, strength and conditioning, and act as a mentor to them. I strive to keep children active and encourage them to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Perisher: When you look back on your career, what do you want people to remember you for?

Sami: I would love to be remembered for my contributions to the winter sports community. If I can inspire one athlete to work hard and to follow in my footsteps, I will be satisfied.

Perisher: What is your best advice to young athletes who want to be where you are now…

Sami: Set goals for where you want to be, participate in as many sports as you can (and that you enjoy), and strive to be a little better every day.

Perisher: What was the best advice you were given when you were young, and who was it from?

Sami: Passion + Persistence = Performance. 
My first Winter Sports Club Coach told me that quote from the great Herman Maier when I was 12 years old. He said if I was passionate about what I was doing, and Persistent with my effort, I would perform!