Chemmy Alcott is winner of 36 Gold medals in Women’s alpine skiing at Senior British National Alpine Ski Championships. She is in conversation with Namita Nayyar President Women Fitness.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You started skiing at 18 months of age on a family holiday in Flaine, France and first raced at the age of three. You reached the pinnacle of success from 2001 to 2009 by winning 36 Golds in Women’s alpine skiing in all major categories at Senior British National Alpine Ski Championships. What factors you consider were responsible that made you achieve that?
Ms. Chemmy Alcott:
The biggest reason behind my success is the fact that I never lost sight of why I became a ski racer. It wasn’t to make money or earn recognition. It was purely and simply because I love to ski. After every season when most racers head home or to the beach I would head on a mini ski holiday to just go skiing with friends and family. Another factor that helped especially through the last tough years overcoming adversity of injury and lack of funding was the unconditional support of my family and friends who never judged but were always there no questions asked to lend a hand.
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You are the most successful female ski racer in British history. You are first British woman to qualify for the World Cup Finals, the first British skier to win a run in a World Cup race and the first British skier to win the British Land National Ski Championships six times in a row. You have competed in four consecutive Olympic Games and both at Turin and Vancouver you finished an impressive 11th place. What facilities exist for alpine skiing in Britain that acted as a catalyst in your achievements?
Ms. Chemmy Alcott:
A huge amount of my race preparation and competitiveness came from participating in the Grand prix and school racing circuit on the artificial ski slopes dotted all over Britain. Most of my peers went into senior racing with probably just over 100 starts in races – I had maybe over 1000!
Chemmy Alcott on WomenFitness: Keep up the fantastic work of educating all of us ladies on the world of fitness and thanks so much for your support!
Ms. Namita Nayyar:
You broke your neck in a skiing accident at age 12, and had two of your vertebrae fused together. You have broken your right leg three times, the most recently in August 2013. You only returned to competition in January 2014 and had a 38 centimetre rod holding the bones together inside your leg. How you were able to overcome such a physical injury/setback and what advice you can give to fellow sports person in a similar situation?
Ms. Chemmy Alcott:
You need to view injury as an opportunity – in a sport as dangerous as ski racing it is going to happen. Don’t dwell on the past live in the future and use the time to address your weak points – get stronger physically or biomechanically. But this is all easier said than done – I am an annoyingly optimistic person so in terms of rehab I am an ideal candidate!
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