Beijing Winter Olympics: meet northern beaches stars Sami Kennedy-Sim, Danielle Scott

They look like they should be rocking a rashie and surfing, not rugged up and competing in the snow. Meet the northern beaches stars chasing success at the Beijing Winter Olympics.

From surf to slopes for these Winter Olympians.

They are two of Australia’s most experienced skiers, live just kilometres apart and are both preparing to compete at their third Winter Olympics when the Beijing Games begin on February 2.

They also have two remarkable stories of coming back from career-threatening injuries and medical issues.

Sami Kennedy-Sim and Danielle Scott are part of a 44-strong contingent representing Australia at the Winter Games.

They are also two of 22 women competing in the green and gold.

Danielle Scott celebrating winning the woman's aerials at the 2021 Freestyle International Ski World Cup at Deer Valley Resort last year.

AUSTRALIAN WINTER OLYMPIAN DANIELLE SCOTT

Danielle Scott, 31, is competing at her third Olympics (2014, 2018) in Freestyle Skiing Women’s Aerials and hails from Freshwater Beach.

The sport experts knew there was something special about Scott from an early age - they just weren’t looking at her as a future Winter Olympian at the time.

The Manly aerial skier was identified as a promising gymnast at the age of just seven but didn’t actually start skiing until six years later.

Now, 18 years on, she is heading to her third Olympic Games for Australia.

A former Rookie of the Year back in 2012, Scott made her Winter Olympic debut in Sochi in 2014 with a top 10 result.

Australian Aerial Skiers (L-R) Danielle Scott, Laura Peel, David Morris, Lydia Lassia and Sam Wells at the last Winter Olympics.

World championship medals followed, along with a second Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea, and a finals appearance.

Now she heads into Beijing as a medal chance thanks to nailing a number of triple back somersaults in recent times and in the wake of her comeback from a serious back injury sustained in the 2019/20 season.

Scott’s fifth World Cup gold medal last month points to her bringing strong form into Beijing.

Sami Kennedy-Sim after crossing the finish line in the small final of the Women's Ski Cross during the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games.

AUSTRALIAN WINTER OLYMPIAN SAMI KENNEDY-SIM

Sami Kennedy-Sim, 33, is competing at her third Olympic Games (2014 and 2018) in Freestyle Skiing Women’s Ski Cross and hails from Manly.

Skier Sami Kennedy-Sim looks like she would be right at home riding a wave at her favourite surf spot on Sydney’s northern beaches.

Instead, this remarkable athlete, who has come back from suffering a stroke and heart surgery to compete at the highest level, is now heading to the third Winter Olympics for Australia.

“It’s been a rocky journey,” said Kennedy-Sim, who suffered a stroke after a post-surgery blood clot dislodged from her calf and made its way to her brain eight years ago.

The 33-year-old Manly freestyle skier will compete in ski cross - the first Australian to compete at three Olympics in the event - and said she was proud to achieve the milestone.

Sami Kennedy-Sim of Australia (second left) at the 2018 Winter Olympic Games.

Olympic skier Sami Kennedy-Sim during her return to Australia due to Covid.

“While these Games will be different from others I have experienced, there is really no better feeling than donning the green and gold on the world stage,” she said.

“Having an Olympics in a similar time zone to Australia means that I will feel connected with my friends and family - Ski Cross is on at prime time so I can’t wait to share this experience with everyone, I’m so excited.”

During coronavirus, Kennedy-Sim flew home from overseas after most of her competitions were cancelled.

At home she developed a ski and snowboard fitness program and work out for people to do at home.

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