InTheSnow’s Ben Clatworthy caught up with Emily Sarsfield, GBR’s number one ski cross athlete following her World Cup race in Val Thorens, to chat about Sochi 2014, the battle to return from injury, and life on the road.
- Emily, firstly, well done today with your result [in the Val Thorens World Cup] – it was never set to be easy?
ES> Thanks, Ben. It’s been a tough week returning from the American races, so 30th feels like a good result. It was a shame to miss out on the finals, although I was racing on borrowed, 3-year-old, skis, and in all borrowed kit thanks to British Airways losing my luggage. I’ve been quite preoccupied with sorting that situation out: endless phone calls and very little information or help. It’s hard enough as a self-funded athlete, but the least I expect is my skis and bags to turn up.
- Ski Cross is certainly an exciting sport – what was it that lead you into the start gate?
ES> I first skied aged 3 on holiday, loved it, and so the trip became an annual family fixture. Having an older sister really helped me progress, mainly as I was so competitive and determined to be the better skier. I decided I’d give alpine racing a go, so I joined the local dry slope club. I was selected for the English Schools Team and then went on to join the GBR Children’s team, before representing the country at the World University Games. It was there that a coach suggested I gave ski cross a go. A few people had mentioned it before, but I’d never taken them seriously.
- Injury was the plight of your 2010 Olympics campaign, are you vying for 2014?
ES> It was hellish; I crashed in a race the season before and snapped all four ligaments in my knee. The problem was I’d pinned everything on making it to the Games, so I wasn’t prepared to be defeated by injury. I told the surgeon I’d be racing in 12 months and he laughed. In fact, he said I might never ski again. I honestly believed I’d return from injury stronger and fitter, whereas in reality I couldn’t have been more wrong. After surgery my knee was comparable to that of a 6-month-old baby, and after 6 months of rehab I contracted patellar tendonitis and that put me back to week three. In all, that set me back a further 2 months. It was during rehab I started writing a diary, and reading it back makes me realise how far I had to go. There are days that read, “Today I cycled for 4 minutes and stepped up two steps,” but in reality writing it down was the only way I could see progress.
- You were back on skis, but 2010 was out the picture, that must have been even harder?
ES> Returning to racing was like starting school. My result was miles off where I’d been before injury, but the main thing is I skied top to bottom. That was the greatest success I could have hoped for. I raced my socks off in the remaining selection races before Vancouver, but the British Olympic Association decided only to send one athlete and that wasn’t me. I was devastated. I’d done everything physically possible to get to the Games, but it wasn’t to be. I was really low during the Games, so I headed to my home in Méribel and skied powder for 2 weeks – it revived my love for winter sport, and once the spotlight was off the Olympics I was raring to get going again.
- So, next stop, the start gate at Sochi 2014?
ES> I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I could do it. It’s all about making sure I continue to advance. I need to be making progress in every competition this season. I know I could make the top 16, and with better support, I’m sure I could be finishing in podium spots. All Olympic journeys are tough, but I’m giving it my all. I’ve joined forces with the Polish team and now train with them. All three British athletes are entirely self-funded. I’m my own PA, driver, fitness coach, and ski technician, as well as being an athlete. Can you imagine Lewis Hamilton having to change his own tyres? The other teams have had big cash injections, but we’re in it on our own. There is a long way to go, but I’m determined – one thing is for sure, I’m in a far better position than 4 years ago.
