WITH her eyes firmly set on one day competing at the winter Olympics, Leeton Public School student Phoebe Naylor is taking charge of her own destiny.
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The snow skiing enthusiast recently competed at the Interschools Ski Racing competition at Perisher, which had competitors from across the state taking part.
Phoebe had never skied at Perisher before, but had put in plenty of training beforehand thanks to the help of her family, particularly her aunty who she regularly visits on weekends to train at Bright and Mount Beauty in Victoria.
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Phoebe first started skiing when she was only 18 months with her old – so tiny was she her skiis back then were only 40 centimetres long.
At the recent competition, Phoebe was the first skier in her age group to hit the slopes in the giant slalom division, which she admitted was slightly nerve-wracking.
“But it meant I got to set the pace,” she said.
“I finished up in the top 20 out of about 70 competitors in my age group.”
Phoebe is believed to be the first skier from Leeton Public School to compete in the Interschools Ski Racing.
Phoebe continues to train as often as she can and one day would also like to pass her skills on to her four-year-old sister.
She said competing at the Winter Olympics was her ultimate dream and said there would need to be a lot of hard work done before then.
Leeton Public School teacher Catherine Tabain was excited for Phoebe and her success.
“I would say she’s probably the first one from our school to have competed at an event like this,” she said.
“It’s wonderful. Even though we are pretty far away from the snowfields, it’s great Phoebe still had this opportunity.
“The school can’t take any credit though … it’s been all Phoebe and her family that’s for sure. We’re very proud of her.”
Phoebe said there were many things she loved about skiing each time she hits the slopes.
“Skiing with my mates and family … the feeling of freedom and speed,” she said.
“I also have lots of fun playing in the snow.”
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