Taylor Rapley

My thing is Alpine Ski Racing

I want to be the most successful Woman New Zealand Ski Racer ever. This would mean finishing on the podium at the Olympics and winning World Cups.

The nature of my goal

To achieve my ultimate goal requires full time commitment in all aspects of my sport. This comes down to physical conditioning all year round, on snow training, racing and travelling 10 months of the year, fundraising from scholarships to sponsorships and being a role model in trying to expand the sport in NZ and working part time when I can.
In order to commit, I must be able to spend NZ summer's in the Europe and America where 6500 of my other competitors are racing to be the best, where mountains surround a single country and where National Ski Team athletes are looked up to by young ones like the All Blacks.
The nature of my goal comes down to meeting my financial obligations which is the thin line between being able to spend the next 4-8 years achieving my set goals...or not. Like many sports, ski racing at an elite level is expensive. It is unrealistic for me to achieve my goals with the sole support of my parents who have got me where I am today with a lot of sacrifice.
I believe that the opportunity to be the best is here and now, not one year out from the Olympics or World champs.
So what I do with my time now, such as maximised training on snow and competing in the right races will define the real difference between qualifying and attending the Olympics or, being a top contender and ultimately the most successful for New Zealand.