Ep.63 - Abbey Willcox - Australian 2026 Winter Olympian, Aerial Skier
The Roads We've Walked PodcastShow Notes
Abbey Willcox’s journey to the 2026 Winter Olympics is a story of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to give up on a dream.
Born and raised in Gosford, New South Wales, Abbey began her athletic career in gymnastics, excelling from a young age. But a chance encounter while on holiday changed everything—she was told she had the potential to become an aerial skier. From there, she committed to the sport, quickly progressing through training camps and development pathways.
Her first major setback came when she missed selection for the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, still considered too inexperienced. Determined to prove herself, Abbey moved to Switzerland to fully immerse herself in training and take her skills to the next level.
But the challenges didn’t stop there. A serious knee injury during the 2020/21 World Cup season derailed her progress, and despite pushing to qualify, she narrowly missed selection again for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Stepping away from the sport, Abbey returned to Australia and began working with the Brisbane Broncos, eventually becoming a game day coordinator at Suncorp Stadium. Yet the drive to compete never left.
Answering that call, she made a comeback with her sights set on the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. Through relentless hard work and determination, Abbey achieved what once felt out of reach—earning her place on the Australian team and competing on the world stage.
A journey shaped by setbacks, but defined by the courage to keep going.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Peak Productions https://linktr.ee/roadswalkedpodcast
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