Beijing Olympian Katie Parker retires from Alpine Skiing

Alpine skier Katie Parker has decided to retire from competitive ski racing aged 25.

The Beijing Olympian split her early years of racing between Australia and the US, eventually forging a hugely successful college career with the University of Utah ‘Utes’.

Her long road to become an Olympian was almost foiled by the pandemic, missing the giant slalom due to COVID-19 testing issues and only being cleared hours before she took the start line in the slalom.

snow.org.au caught up with Katie to discuss her decision to step away from the sport.

Was it a hard decision to stop ski racing?
Deciding to stop my ski racing career proved to be a terribly hard decision, undoubtedly the most difficult one I have faced.

Ski racing has been the focal point of my life, from the tight-knit communities I have been a part of to the immersive environments in which I have thrived. The sacrifices I have made along the way, such as being separated from my family since the age of 15 to travel overseas, shows the level of commitment I dedicated to pursuing my ski racing aspirations.

As my college career neared its conclusion at the University of Utah Ski Team, many questions began to weigh on my mind. How would I sustain my involvement in skiing financially beyond this point? Am I still passionate for the sport enough to make it into a full-time profession, or had my achievements so far been a reason of the supportive environment provided by the Utah Ski Team?

Identifying the most suitable team to join after college was a tough decision-making process, particularly given the limited options available, especially for female athletes aspiring to break into the highly competitive World Cup circuit.

Despite these questions, I have felt an underlying fear of the unknown and the uncertainties surrounding a post-skiing life. I took the time and even though I feel as though I may not have fully-realised my potential within the sport, I had achieved most of my goals and dreams and felt prepared to embark on a new career path. 

Your journey through your ski racing career and National Team was not straightforward. Looking back, what moments are you most proud?
Reflecting upon my journey in ski racing and my time with the National Team, I consistently prioritised my own growth and development, focusing on what was right for me. I never focused on getting named to the national team, for instance. I firmly believed that if I maintained my happiness and performed at a high level, I would earn a place on the national team.

Among many moments, the one I am most proud of is overcoming the challenge of contracting COVID-19 two weeks before the Olympics. This became the biggest mental hurdle I had ever faced. Upon learning of my selection to the Olympic team, I contracted the virus, realising that my ability to compete was at risk.

For the following two weeks, I underwent continuous testing, hoping for a negative result. Each day brought with it a mix of anxiety and hope, as I eagerly waited for my test results.

Reaching the last possible day for me to make the journey to China, I found myself with little hope.

However, on that day, I received the long-awaited negative test result. The flood of emotions I experienced in that moment was indescribable and incomparable to anything else. Despite my mental and physical exhaustion, I headed to China, only to test positive upon arrival. 

Lack of sleep and jet lag added to the strain, and I underwent further testing throughout the night.

In the early hours of the morning, just before the slalom event, I received a call at 5:30am, informing me that I was negative and cleared to compete. Immediately, I felt an immense pressure to perform at my best. I made it up to the hill and as I stood at the start gate, I collected every ounce of determination within me and pushed forward, giving my all despite the challenging circumstances.

The sense of pride I hold for myself in that moment will forever remain with me, and I am profoundly grateful to my family and the staff at the Australian Olympic Committee who supported me throughout this ordeal.

Looking back, these moments of triumph during adversity exemplify the resilience and fortitude I have cultivated throughout my ski racing journey. 

Through all of your experiences what do you believe really are the most important attributes to being a successful ski racer?
From my experiences, the following are the most important attributes to being a successful ski racer:

• Discipline: Hard work lies at the core of a successful ski racing career. This includes dedicating yourself to hard work both on and off the slopes, recognising the necessity of maintaining physical fitness, ski technique/skills, as well as keeping your mental health sharp.
• Having a supportive environment: Surrounding yourself with a positive and empowering environment plays a pivotal role in achieving success. By surrounding yourself with like-minded athletes who are driven to excel and fostering a team dynamic centred on a shared goal, you can bring and gain inspiration, encouragement and growth.
• Embracing the challenges: Acknowledging the difficulties in ski racing is vital for progress. You need to understand that it is hard. You will face many obstacles and setbacks. However, these just allow you to develop resilience, determination, and adaptability in the face of adversity.
• Having other interests, hobbies or passions: It is important that you try to find, if you don’t already, something that interests you other than skiing, so that you are able to switch your mind off of skiing and know that it is not your whole life! 

I would also add in that equipment becomes increasingly important as you ascend to the professional level. You should be seeking guidance and asking questions.

What words of wisdom would you offer to a younger Katie?
I would encourage myself to remain dedicated to my goals and to understand that success is a matter of perseverance. By consistently working hard and committing to continual improvement, I will achieve my aspirations and learn a lot on the way.

I would also tell myself to cherish the journey, that the true essence of the ski racing journey lies in the experiences, memories and personal growth rather than the specific results.

It is the camaraderie with friends, the challenges faced, the mountains conquered and the lessons learned that will endure as cherished and transformative moments.

What’s next for Katie Parker? 
I am embarking on a new career path. In addition, I aspire to continue inspiring young Australian skiers and contribute to the growth and development of alpine ski racing in Australia.

It is my hope to serve as a role model, offering guidance and support to the next generation of athletes as they pursue their own ski racing dreams.