Twenty-two year old Ellie doesn’t remember learning to ski, but her parents think she was probably around 1 year, 9 months old. Aged five she won her first medal after competing in a slalom competition and she’s been racing ever since.
“I’ve already had a taste of the Olympic experience. I was the youngest female member of Team GB at the Vancouver games in 2010. I became the GB mogul skiing champion when I was 15 years old and I’m feeling really positive about my chances in Sochi.
My pre-season training has gone brilliantly, I’ve been in the US and in OZ, working specifically on my speed. Mogul skiing is pretty explosive on the body so my training regime is varied but intense. Mogul skiing isn’t a funded discipline, so I work hard to raise enough money to remain a full time athlete. I’ve got loads of great sponsors who make my training and competing schedule possible, but I’m always on the look out for more! I’m hoping that Sochi 14 will help all winter athletes to raise the profile of their sport.
I’m going to Sochi to win a gold medal. It’s pointless thinking any other way. I’ll have a lot of competition from the Americans and the Canadians, who I’ve been training with over the last few months.
Moguls intimidate lots of people; my advice would be to do a couple at a time, building up from the bottom of a slope. Stay relaxed, not defensive and you’ll be flowing through them in no time. Just go for it!”
