Women of Winter: In Focus with Melissa Perrine

The name Melissa Perrine is synonymous with Snow Australia’s Winter Paralympic Team, as the B2 visually impaired alpine skier has represented Australia across four Paralympic Games - being the only female winter Paralympian to achieve this feat.
 
Perrine is also the most decorated winter para-athlete for Australia, having won two bronze Paralympic medals in PyeongChang, along with 47 World Cup podiums, seven World Championship podiums and two Crystal Globes.
 
Having first been introduced to the sport through Disabled Wintersport Australia at the age of 12, Perrine made her international debut in 2009. She became the first Australian woman to win an IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships medal when she won a silver medal in the downhill in 2011, before claiming her first Paralympic medal in 2018.
 
Following the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympic Games, Mel announced her retirement from professional skiing. However, her legacy, not only in Australia’s para-alpine team, but for females in the snow sports industry, will continue long after she’s hung up her skis.

 
Mel, with so much success and longevity in the sport, drives you to be the best you can be and what does being the best mean to you?
To me being the best is not defined by medals or awards, it never has been, it is about performing to the best of your ability in that moment.

I guess that comes from my high levels of curiosity and constant need to know stuff. In sport that manifests itself as a need for knowledge that will allow me to perform better.
 
What has been your proudest moment / achievement?
I have been incredibly lucky to have many moments in my career that I am very proud of. My Paralympic Bronze medals and the work that went into them from my coach/guide Chri Geiger, myself and my teammate Tori Pendergast is a massive achievement that I am proud of.

The other one is a series of moments that I have had with my current guide Bobbi Kelly. I am so proud of what we have achieved since we first started skiing together.

What's the best piece of advice you've ever received in your career? 
To listen to my passion and love of skiing, and to pursue it despite the barriers.

Aside from skiing, you have also completed 2 masters degrees in both sport and exercise science and in physiotherapy. How did you juggle whilst training and competing at the highest level? Can you tell us a bit about your work-life-study balance?
I managed this balance with the considerable help of coffee.

Honestly though, it was because of the people that I had around me. The universities I studied at were very understanding of my elite athlete commitments, and were often willing to work with me for a common solution. My family and friends were flexible with their time so that I was still able to see them, and my brothers were often incredibly enthusiastic and driving gym partners, which not only helped my performance but maintained close relationships with two of my key support people. 

How do you believe your sport has progressed since you first started skiing to now, particularly for Para athletes or for women in the sport? 
I believe that the sport is far more professional than it was when I first started. The level of competition has increased substantially, especially in the women's division. However, we would still love to see more women compete in Alpine skiing.

Is there anything else you would like to share with other women in this industry? 
Follow your passion in this industry, a lot of people will say it's male-dominated and that can be confronting. However, that doesn't mean you can't shine and excel. The mountain lifestyle gives us all something unique, and we shouldn't be deterred from enjoying that.
 
What is next for Melissa Perrine?  
I look to furthering my physiotherapy career, through completing more study that will allow me to become specialised as a sports physiotherapist. 
 
I also want to stay very connected with the winter sport world, especially working with the development stage of an athlete's progression.

Otherwise, my partner and I are planning a move to England, which will be a new and exciting challenge.