Emma takes gymnastics to the slopes
On Thursday 11 June, Year 10 student Emma was advised that she had been selected into the Australian Aerial Skiing Development Squad for 2015.
Each year, the Olympic Winter Institute (OWI) and the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS) target a small number of elite gymnasts to try out for the squad. The program is restricted to a small intake of athletes each year based upon a range of factors including age, gymnastic or acrobatic skill and experience, physical performance, strength and fitness.
Over the past five months, Emma participated in a series of challenging athletic, strength and acrobatic assessments as well as medical and physical screenings to see whether she had what it takes to be successful in this sport. Emma is only one of four athletes selected across Australia to join the squad and will undertake an intensive three month’s training and probation period. This will set the foundations for her to transition to the AIS World Cup Program where she will have the opportunity to represent Australia at World Cup/World Championship events and ultimately the Olympic Games. Emma’s official training commences at the beginning of the school holidays where she will spend two weeks at Mount Buller training and developing her skiing skills.
Nearly all of the world’s top aerial skiers have a gymnastics background. Winter Olympic Gold medallist and world champions; Lydia Lassila, Alisa Camplin and Jacqui Cooper have all trained as gymnasts prior to skiing.
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