In the lead up to the Winter Olympic games in Sochi, Women’s Agenda is bringing you exclusive interviews with some of Australia’s top female athletes vying for gold. Check out our earlier interviews with mogul champ Britt Cox and aerial skier Lydia Lassila.
Anna Segal is Australia’s premier slope-style skier and she won gold when that sport debuted at both the Winter X Games and the FIS Freestyle World Championships. She has had her fair share of injuries in the past few seasons and a knee injury and slow rehab has resulted in a patchy start to the Olympics lead up this season. But Anna knows how to step it up on competition day. Slope-style skiing utilises giant jumps and rails; athletes must incorporate difficult tricks into their run, and manage to make it all look effortless and stylish. This event makes its Olympic debut on the 11th February in Sochi.
Congratulations! How does it feel to be selected to ski for Australia?
It feels great. I’m not used to being on a ‘team’, but I’m really enjoying the camaraderie between all the athletes. Last year I spent a lot of time training in Sydney with athletes from other winter sports. It’s going to be really exciting to watch them all compete over in Russia.
Tell me about your preparation and coming out of the last injury?
The knee injury I sustained in February last year (almost a year ago), was one of my toughest injuries to date. I chipped a large piece of bone cartilage from my tibial plateau. I thought this would only take a couple of months to bounce back from, but I grossly underestimated the healing time. I feel like I spent the majority of last year training, eating, sleeping and icing! When I got back on snow I was in a lot of pain, which did make it hard to get back in the groove. Skiing to me has always been fun! That’s why I do it. But skiing in immense pain is no fun at all. The pain has slowly decreased and I’m feeling more like my old skiing self.
How long have you been aiming for the Olympics?
The announcement that slopestyle would be an Olympic sport only happened 2 and a half years ago. It was this announcement that shaped my goal of competing in Sochi. When I was in primary school, I had always dreamed of being an Olympic athlete and by the time I was 17, I was aiming to make it onto the Australian team for moguls. However once I gave up moguls for slopestyle, I decided I would let that dream fall to the side.
When did you start skiing?
I started skiing when I was 4 years old. My mum has always been an avid skier and wanted to pass that passion down to her children. I began competing in alpine racing when I was 8 years old, then moved on to mogul skiing when I was 14.
What is your home mountain and why do you love it?
Thredbo is my home mountain. It has a unique European village type atmosphere, the longest runs in Australia and an amazing terrain park.
Where is home?
I moved around a lot last year. I spent more time away from home than living at home. However I try really hard not to live out of my suitcase. If I am going to be staying somewhere for more than a week, I make an effort to unpack all my belongings and hang up all my clothes. I’m constantly making a home away from home.
Do you miss summer?
I do miss summer, but for the last few years I’ve made sure treat myself with a warm holiday at the end of each ski season. In my spare time I try get down to the beach, surf, swim, cook, read a lot, do yoga and hang with old friends.
Who is your snow hero?
Sarah Burke
Who is the person to beat at the Olympics?
Everyone!
What will you be doing after the Olympics?
I will need to take a bit of time out as I will be back at uni full time next year. But luckily our summer break coincides with the Northern Winter! Next January I would love to go to Japan to ski powder. I’ve only been there once, but it was for a competition. I want to go back there and ski for two weeks straight!
When you are in the start gate, how do you focus?
I try to slow down my breathing, listen to the beat of my music and look out to the scenery beyond the course (which is usually a beautiful mountain backdrop).
What three words sum up your sport, to you?
Style, creativity and fun.