Big test lifelong dream for Cox
THE journey started with a toddler on plastic skis bumbling along lino floors pleading “take me out skiing’’.
And all these years later it might well reach a glorious crescendo on the Olympic medal dais in PyeongChang, South Korea, next week.
Britt Cox, 23, is considered Australia’s best chance for an Olympic gold medal when she competes in the mogul event, a supremely challenging format which includes heaving stressed turns, aerial and technical skills plus raw speed.
But the snow is her second home and her life’s journey has literally been a mountain climb towards the challenge that awaits her.
“I was on skis pretty much as soon as I could walk as a toddler,’’ she said.
“I consider myself very lucky to grow up in Falls Creek, Victoria. My parents managed accommodation on the mountain.
“I was able to go to primary school up there and for us the big sport was skiing and every day after school I would go straight out until the lifts closed at the end of the day. I look back and think ‘ what an awesome childhood’.’’
The seminal moment in her early journey towards the games came when she was eight and had a chance meet- ing with 2002 Olympic gold medallist Alisa Camplin.
“I remember watching her compete in the Salt Lake City Games of 2002,” Cox said. “It was an incredible experience. I was lucky enough to see her jumping on the aerial side of Mt Buller when I was up there for a competition.
“I waited at the top of the lifts for her. I had just competed in an inter- school competition and I took my results up for her. She took the time out of training to talk to me and sign it for me. As an eight- year- old, I was just so excited.’’
The pressure of being Australia’s best chance after a year in which she won seven World Cup events and a world championship may challenge some but Cox asks: “What position would you rather be in?’’