Meet Laura Peel, Australian aerial skier and ‘snowgi’

Competing nationally as a gymnast and skiing on weekends while growing up in Canberra, Australia, it was suggested to Laura Peel by the Victorian Institute of Sport that she combine her two passions and take up aerial skiing. At 19 years old, she did just that, the amalgamation of sports proving so successful the now 32-year-old is set to take part in her third Olympic Winter Games, and this time she wants a medal.

The ambition isn't so far-fetched. Peel is a two-time world champion – in 2015 and 2021 – and was also not far from the podium in Sochi 2014 (7th) and closer still at PyeongChang 2018 in 5th.

On current form, Peel is even more entitled to have medal-ware in mind. Just one month ago, at the last World Cup before Beijing 2022, Peel won the event by landing a triple twisting triple backflip, a move hailed as "probably the greatest full-full-full ever done by a woman" by Australia's deputy chef de mission Alisa Camplin.

The Australians have form in this discipline, with four of the nation's 19 total Winter Olympic medals won by female aerials skiers. Peel will also be joined in the discipline by compatriot and also a soon-to-be three-time Olympian, Danielle Scott, one of Peel's main challengers along with 23-year-old Olympic debutant Gabi Ash.

The women's aerials competition starts on Sunday 13 February with two qualification runs followed by the final two rounds, which brings the hardware, on Monday 14 February, and we all know what Peel would love most that day.

To get to know Peel a little better, here's three things to know.

Peel described herself as "privileged" to be chosen as the flagbearer for Australia at Beijing 2022.

The 32-year-old was training in Canada when she received a phone call from the