Just out of High School, Mitch is headed for the 2010 Winter Paralympic Games.

Disciplines: Downhill, Super G, Giant Slalom, Slalom

I began skiing recreationally at Mt Buller when I was around 7, but it probably took a back seat to some of my other sporting goals until I was about 14 or 15. This is when I began racing a lot and finally began to prioritize skiing over footy or bike-racing on the weekends.

Following joining the Paralympic Development program shortly after the 2006 Torino Games, I spent my first overseas season racing in Colorado and Utah. A year later, at 16, I was freaking out in the start at my first World Cup in Abtenau, Austria. Toward the end of a nerve and mistake riddled series, I miraculously managed a 10th place in World Cup Super G after starting down the back. I skied far beyond my capabilities that day and have been searching for the same run ever since.

After my second World Cup stop in France, I left the team early and returned to Australia for school, something I would not have the option to do the following season as I had then been upgraded to membership of the Senior National Team and gained full elite status. The move proved fruitful as I completed both Year 11 and two of my planned total of five Year 12 subjects on schedule and gained my first National Championship in GS along the way. In 2008-09 I was to follow the entire World Cup for the first time as well as being selected for my first World Championships in Korea. A crazy year filled with travel and turmoil that I was glad to see the back of, however there was still a glimmer of hope with consistent results in GS, including a 6th place at World Cup Finals, landing me 8th in the discipline overall. Then began the most insanely busy year of my life in which I relocated to Melbourne for training, changed schools, trained and studied my butt off in an attempt to qualify for Vancouver and finish Year 12. I was absent for 63 days of my final year.

However, I still think I did okay in my 3 subjects and should know my marks in the next few weeks... And I made the team!

Now I can finally concentrate on skiing and making the top 5 in this years GS overall (and maybe a World Cup podium along the way!) without my ever-lagging education hanging over my head.

Beyond Vancouver I plan to make a bit of an unusual assault on Able-Bodied FIS skiing in an attempt to qualify for the 2011 World Junior Ski Championships in Crans-Montana.
It's a bit of an extreme ambition, but other than my obvious disadvantage out of the start gate, I think that on the right hill I can really take it up to the Able-Bodied guys.
I've got 2 good legs and I'm only missing a hand and a pole, why not!?

Q & A MW: How long have you dreamt about competing in the Olympic Games?

I've probably spent most of my life dreaming about the Olympics. I think the goal sport might have changed a few times, and even the season but regardless of the details I've always wanted to get there.

MW: How has your preparation for the games been going?

Although last season wasn't my best, I got my act together in the last race of the year with a career best result at World Cup Finals on the Paralympic hill in Whistler. I backed this up with a really solid Southern Hemisphere Winter off the back of some good physical preparation. This then came to a bit of a grinding halt with my final High School Exams looming. As a result I'm not quite in peak form just yet, but it's a long season and I've got until March to be fit and flying for the big one in Vancouver.

MW: Who are your major competitors you'll be aiming to beat?

In all honesty, if I beat my teammates Toby Kane, Cameron Rahles-Rahbula and Marty Mayberry I know I'll be in the mix for the medals. Gerd Schoenfelder of Germany is also an amazing skier, having been racing on the World Cup almost as long as I've been alive. He also happens to be retiring after Vancouver and I'd love to get one up on him before then.

MW: How important are the build-up World Cup events to the Games for your preparation?

Hugely.
The World Cup is really where it's at for us and you know the level is always going to be right up there. If anybody is placing well in the World Cups, a medal is definitely within reach in Vancouver.
The results themselves will be of particular importance in the speed events where the final makeup of our Vancouver team is still up in the air. I'm also gunning for a top 5 in the GS overall this season after being 8th last year. All the tech races are fairly early on this year and I think this suits me.

MW: Who do you take inspiration from or look up to in your sport?

My teammates.
I was only 15 when I started on the Development program so I've pretty much grown up around these guys. Having the opportunity to train and travel with multiple World Cup winners like Cam, Toby and Marty and observing the way they go about it has been incredible. Even now, my respect for them continues to grow each season.

MW: Do you have any superstitions about competing or habits you must perform before competing? (Eg: Slap your leg once, scratch your eye brow or adjust your boots?)

I'm not crazy superstitious, but I do have a pretty set routine for doing up my boots, adjusting my suit, helmet and goggles before a race.

List your other favourite interests:

Cycling
Mountain Biking
Sport Climbing
Bouldering
Hiking/Camping

List your Top Five Music bands:

This list probably changes monthly for me, I struggle to limit it to just 5, but I currently have a slight obsession with Little Birdy so they can claim top spot for today.

1. Little Birdy.
2. Vampire Weekend.
3. Josh Pyke.
4. Little Red.
5. The king of pop has to be there somewhere - Michael Jackson.

Personal Stats

Nickname: Spinach
Date of Birth: 2/6/91
Place of Birth: Geelong
Birth Country: Australia
Residence Place: Anywhere there's snow!
Height: 166cm
Weight: 58kg
Education: Just finished High School, likely starting a degree in Journalism after Vancouver.
Club/resort: Mt Buller
Institute/Academy: AIS and VIS
First Participated: 2002
Years On National Team: 3
Career Highlights: 8th World Cup GS Overall,
Personal Sponsors: Cadbury, Icebreaker - Pure Merino, Mt Buller, POC, SmoothToe.

Website / Blog: http://mitchgourley.wordpress.com

tags:

• latest news /
• Paralympic event schedule

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