Women of Winter: Mia Clift

Mia Clift made her Snowboard Cross World Cup debut at the age of 17 in 2021, racing against World Champions and Olympic gold medallists including Eva Adamczykova (nee Samkova), Michela Moioli, Charlotte Bankes and our own Belle Brockhoff.

Just as she was starting to make her name on the international circuit, an ACL rupture at just her third World Cup put Mia’s career on hold.

Back for her first competitive season since her knee injury, the 19-year-old is part of an impressive young crop of women snowboard cross athletes led by World Championships silver medallist Josie Baff, and including more bright prospects including Maya Billingham, Amber Essex and Abbey Wilson.

We recently caught up with Mia to find out more about what makes her tick, what coming back from a major injury has taught her and plans for the 2023/24 season. 

At what age did you start your sport?
I started skiing when I was three and soon after started begging mum to let me start snowboarding, but I wasn't allowed to till I finished ski school.

Finally, when I was five I started snowboarding. My first few races snowboarding were in interschools and I was doing both GS and snowboard cross and that's where I really began to love it.

I then began snowboarding full-time from when I was nine and never looked back! 

Who inspired you as a young athlete?
As a young athlete I looked up to those already in the sport such as Chumpy [Alex Pullin] , Belle [Brockhoff] and Cam [Bolton].

However, I was inspired especially by Erin Phillips, as she juggled both basketball and footy for multiple years which I aspired to do as well with snowboarding and footy.

Erin lifted the standard of women in sport which inspired me to be a better athlete. 

What do you love most about snowboard cross?
There are so many awesome experiences that come with snowboard cross. We get to travel and visit amazing countries as well as meet new people. What I love most is the satisfaction of learning new skills and just getting to snowboard as much as I do.

Where is your favourite place to compete?
Although I have only competed a few times overseas so far, my favourite would have to be Cervinia, Italy. They put a good track together, the mountains are so cool and the food is great!

What is the toughest aspect of being an athlete?
The toughest aspect of being an athlete would be the setbacks you face; whether small or large everyone has their fair share.

Personally, for me so far it has been getting injured. I ruptured my ACL at the end of 2021 at my third World Cup and the rehab was long, draining and repetitive. However, it gave me the opportunity to focus on getting stronger which I definitely don't take for granted. 

What mental tool do you use under pressure?
I try to not think about the outcome of each event but rather the process. When I focus on what I want to come and how I see the race finishing, it’s easy to develop a nervous mindset and forget what I should be focusing on - that's when I make mistakes.

I find that when your process is clear, such as how you will go down the track, what skills you need to execute when and where, that's when you will perform your best as you are concentrated and thus the outcomes will follow. 

What are your plans for the Northern winter season?
We are heading overseas at the end of October and will begin our first few training camps in Italy then followed by Pitztal, Austria. Our first World Cup will be at the beginning of December in Les Deux Alpes, France and we will continue to move around to each World Cup with more training camps in between until early April.