2014 WINTER OLYMPIANS – Katya Crema

Katya, tucked and focused, as every good Ski Cross racer ought to be Image:: Supplied

Mountainwatch | 2014 Winter Olympians – Words by Nat Segal

If you were to ask the average Australian to list some of the sports that Australia competes in at the Olympics, I doubt that skiing would be amongst the first. As a country where swimming is the norm and skiing is less accessible, our winter athletes have risen above and beyond, to not only participate in, but to dominate ski disciplines that will be part of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. Skiing is by no means the highest funded sport in the Australian Olympic Committee’s portfolio, nor is it the biggest; but gosh do we have talent.

With several new disciplines added to the next Winter Olympics, including Slopestyle and Halfpipe skiing, it’s bound to be an interesting one. In the last decade Australia has accumulated an assortment of snow sliding, medal-wielding machines who are in line to qualify for Sochi. With successful northern winters behind them and less than a year until the Games it’s only natural to be a little bit curious about them.

Over the coming weeks we will be bringing you profiles on all our Winter Olympic hopefuls, check back for the rest of the team…

EVENT: Ski Cross

Name: Katya Crema
Age: 24
Hometown: Melbourne
Discipline: Ski Cross
Years competing: Ski Cross – 6, Alpine – 13
Home Mountain: Mt Buller
Are you studying: Masters of Property, at Melbourne University
Best results: 6th Telluride World Cup, USA, 2012
Best SkierX venue: Aspen-Buttermilk for Winter X Games
Sponsors: Stockli, Rip Curl, 2XU, POC, Thule Australia, Komperdell, Premax

What is the main challenge you face in the lead-up to the 2014 Olympics?
The main challenge is staying strong and uninjured season after season. Ski Cross, like most Freestyle Sports, is high risk and with that comes injury. The commitment, the love of the sport and the dedication to training is all there; it’s usually the things that are out of your control that are most challenging to deal with.

You’ve been on fire this winter, do you put it all down to the last five years of experience or was there something different in the air?
With three top tens on World Cup and an 8th at World Champs, this season was a personal best. Experience plays a part, but I think the biggest change this season was confidence. I was fitter and stronger coming into this season than I’ve ever been, and my technical skiing had improved over the Australian winter.  When you’re in the start gate with three other racers, you have to have the confidence that you’ll beat them to the bottom no matter what.

You compete on the World Cup circuit from November to mid-March, what do you miss most about the Aussie summer?
I miss summer in general! Going from winter to winter, year after year can be tough. Family and friends is also a massive one; it’s tough being away from the ones you love for over four months straight. And then there are the little things; a great Melbourne coffee, the surf, riding my bike, daylight savings, fresh summer fruit… The list could go on and on.

Ski Cross can be very dangerous, four people dropping onto the same course at once. How do you mitigate the risks involved?
The more physically prepared you are to handle big crashes, the better off you’ll be. Sometimes a crash is completely out of your control if it is caused by another racer. But if you’re fit, strong and flexible, fingers crossed you come out unscathed. Or even better, just be out in front then you don’t have to worry about it!

You’re a bit of a powder hunter when you get the time, where’s your favourite place to shred?
To be honest, I had my best powder day this year at Mt Hotham. We got 70cm of fresh snow over two days right before the Ski Cross National Championships. Luckily I had my fatties with me and I skied fresh lines all day. Others would have to be Highlands Bowl (Aspen), Montgenevre (France), and Buller of course…Nothing better than skiing with friends at your home mountain on a powder day.