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Few Australians have ever dominated a winter sport like Laura Peel.
Main into the Beijing Winter Olympics, the aerial skier was the reigning World Cup champion, and reigning World Championships winner.
She might do jumps that different skiers merely weren’t able to and, with a mix of bravery and ability, she had pushed the boundaries of what was doable for feminine freestyle skiers, in a sport identified for being each spectacular and extremely harmful.
“Doing backflips, truthfully, simply brings me lots of pleasure. I am very fortunate to name it my job,” she mentioned.
“It is only a actually nice feeling and I like what I do.”
Peel entered the Olympics as Australia’s flag-bearer and the purple scorching gold medal favorite. She then certified for the 12-woman ultimate on the high of her group.
Nevertheless, when it got here to her ultimate soar, catastrophe struck.
The wind in Beijing kicked in and, with Peel producing a lot dangle time within the air, it made her signature daring jumps virtually inconceivable to execute.
“We’re usually on the mercy of Mom Nature,” she mentioned.
“It takes three seconds … errors are made earlier than you even realise something has occurred.”
Peel landed awkwardly on her final soar, ending fifth.
It was nonetheless a exceptional achievement, however a decade of preparations and a lifetime of dreaming of an Olympic medal had been dashed.
‘With or with out an Olympic medal’
Coping with the fallout of 1 blustery Beijing day has examined the resolve of the 33-year-old over the previous 9 months.
“It is the Olympic Video games. It does not occur for everyone. Sadly, it did not occur for me,” she mentioned.
Nevertheless, with that disappointment got here a steely dedication to not let one unhealthy day outline her profession.
She spent extra time than regular again in her hometown of Canberra, considering her subsequent transfer.
Retirement crossed her thoughts, however she has determined to proceed to chase her desires within the sport she loves.
“It is necessary to not worth your self solely on one occasion,” she mentioned.
“Once I look again, I believe the final 12 years have been rather well spent, with or with out an Olympic medal.”
Shifting on to the subsequent problem
The Canberran is now in northern Finland, making ready for the beginning of the World Cup subsequent month, which heralds the start of one other European season.
And, in her trademark fashion, Laura Peel is refusing to relaxation on her laurels.
“I nonetheless need to push the issue within the ladies’s area. I nonetheless need to be up on the triple, week in and week out, doing triple backflips,” she mentioned.
And there are nonetheless main titles on the road.
“We have got the World Championships this yr. That is in Georgia, so we’re aiming to peak there, that is the principle occasion.”
It is one other likelihood for Laura Peel so as to add to one of many most-impressive winter sports activities trophy cupboards in Australian historical past.
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