Sochi profile #5: Australian medal hope Anna Segal, ski slopestyle

WHEN Anna Segal first branched out from moguls to the hair-raisingly dangerous sport of slopestyle, her mother wasn't impressed.

WHEN Anna Segal first branched out as a teenager from the treacherous sport of moguls to the hair-raisingly dangerous sport of slopestyle, her mother wasn't exactly impressed.

"She didn't want to have to come overseas and scrape me off the slopes," the 27-year-old former world champion recalls.

That might sound like gallows humour, but slopestyle is dangerous stuff. This was emphasised in the cruellest way two years ago when a close friend of Segal's was tragically killed on skis.

Segal had idolised Canadian skier Sarah Burke - a pioneer "freeskier" who competed in halfpipe and slopestyle events and made inspirational ski movies. She was killed in a training accident in 2012, aged just 29.

"Sarah was one of my heroes," Segal says. "She is one of the girls that got me into freeskiing through a movie she did called Propaganda. She was just so progressive and was doing tricks as good as the guys.

"She used to enter competitions in the boys' category and was always there pushing for equal prizemoney for the girls side. She is an inspiration to this day."

Had it not been for the work of pioneers like Sarah Burke, Anna Segal may not be at these Olympics.

Slopestyle makes its Olympic debut in Sochi, its inclusion spurred by the popularity of the spectacular sport at the X Games.

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A slopestyle course is like a giant version of the terrain park you might have seen at ski resorts, only much, much bigger. Competitors are airborne for 20 or 30 metres, and take-off and land facing either backwards or forwards. This is not an event for those who feel giddy on the chairlift.

The question is, will Anna Segal's body hold up?

Segal tore her meniscus in competition last year and couldn't defend the world title she won in 2011.

The injury has still been troubling her this season and she has missed plenty of time on the snow. Segal arrived in Sochi on Sunday but it is now in a battle to be ready. She has until Monday, February 10 to prove her fitness.

Despite not having been on the snow in the past few weeks, Segal is not too worried about the fitness test.

"Mentally, I'm feeling stronger than I ever have. I've been doing a lot of visualising and just really positive energy and positive thoughts. The mental toughness is the most important thing to have and my body's also feeling pretty good," Segal said.

While the Sochi course is reputed to be seriously challenging with huge "airs", it will be the proverbial level playing field for all competitors. The slopestyle test event was cancelled in Sochi last year due to lack of snow, so it's new territory for everyone.

Judged sports like slopestyle are always subjective, but Segal's favourite animal gives you a hint as to the sort of impression she might leave on the officials.

"I love sugar gliders," she laughs. "They're an Australian marsupial that glides from tree to tree."

And if that knee holds up, Anna "Seagull" might just glide her way to the judges' hearts and the top of the dais on day five of the Sochi Games.