Hi, my name is Michol Hinton I am a 16-year-old girl from Auckland New Zealand. I am part of the New Zealand Youth Ski Team and am currently ranked 3rd in U16 girls for the 2019 season. I have grown up in Auckland New Zealand but was born in the UK.
I have been skiing since I was 18 months old and have been inseparable from the mountains ever since. I have been training for 5 years and fell in love with it straight away. I was always chasing my older siblings down the mountain always wanting to keep up. This is where my love of speed came from I am always wanting to go fast but it always comes at a cost. I am constantly being asked whether I still love this sport after so many years and the answer is always yes. No matter how hard or easy the days are my drive and love for this sport is always first and foremost the importance. I have been really lucky to be able to travel the world and experience different cultures threw racing and training in different countries and I can’t say how much that has grown me as a person. I am in Year 11 (of 13) at school in Auckland and am excited about the direction that sport is taking me. I am extremely interested in Medicine and am planning to continue to study and race after school.
Motivation
I have an amazing family and I love the sport I push myself to a higher level because it is a way to show to younger athletes who look up to me that it is possible to achieve highly whilst still having a passion and overcoming injury and setbacks. Having a following of younger athletes that look up to me drives me to be the best I can be on and off snow this helps me as I have an amazing group of people around me helping me achieve my goal. As well as the major sacrifices that my family has made for me to be able to get to this level. The support around me is amazing and drives me to perform highly for them not as an added pressure but as a need to perform for them.
Goals
My goal is to compete for NZ at an international FIS level and winning an NZ junior title. I would love to go to the Olympics and compete for New Zealand. I love the environment at international events and would love to be able to race in the world cup circuit.
Other Interests
I really love working with the ski community I volunteered with Special Olympics a program that teaches disables athletes to ski and race. I love doing this because it is a way to give back to the community that I use so much. This doesn't only benefit them but also me as it forces me to look at skiing and see the mistakes meaning I have become more critical with my own skiing. I also love being in the outdoors I enjoy being out in nature exploring I go hiking a lot as well as kayaking and overnight camping trips.
