Discipline: Cross Country Skiing

Olympic Participation: Torino 2006

Clare-Louise Brumley’s love of cross country skiing grew from a passion for running from a very young age and family trips around the Bogong High Plains. She fell in love with the freedom, the beauty of the landscape, and the sheer joy of extending her body’s capacity.

Watching the 2002 Winter Olympics from a training base in Canada ignited an unstoppable force in her which was unwavering in those following 4 years. She was mesmerised by the training and unrelenting in the daily process. Not so much as ‘breakthrough’ moments - but rather, a focussed, determined, day by day process. While World Championships in 2005 and Torino 2006, along with multiple World Cups were highlights; she equally loved training on her my own in Pontresina Switzerland and marching through days of interval training.

The Australian Champion made her World Cup debut in Beitostoelen, Norway placing 67^th. Her best World Cup result was in Oberstdorf in the 2x7.5M Pursuit where she placed 36^th.

She made history, along side Esther Bottomly, being the first Australian women to compete in cross country in 26 years. Her journey to the Olympic games was not simple as she suffered from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, she overcame her illness and competed in Torino in the 15km Skiathon where she came 42^nd.

Reflecting on her career, her best moment was in the 15km Pursuit at the Torino Olympics. She reflects “I had a dream classic leg (33rd) which was deeply satisfying. Crossing the finishing line, I felt this strange mix of deep pride combined with OMG it’s actually over (this whole mission of competing at the Olympics). I was in sheer awe of what the human body was able to do with that kind of focus, determination and passion”.

Clare would like to thank her family, coaches, and training partners. “ I loved training with my dear friend James Rickard throughout my whole skiing career. We were best friends and the ultimate training partners. It was a joy. My Dad also followed each step of the way”.

On her life after retirement, “I thought nothing would compare with the workload of Cross Country ski training , but wow, parenting! I adore being mumma to Lella. We are unschooling, enjoy travelling in Australia, and in between I see clients on zoom in my integrative mental health and counselling practice. I completed my PhD in Nutritional Medicine and Post Graduate psychotherapy training following my competition days”.