Chen fulfills Youth Olympic dream at Lausanne 2020

For the past four years, Alex Chen has been dreaming of representing Australia at the Winter Youth Olympic Games (YOG). This year, her dreams came true when she successfully qualified for the Lausanne 2020 Australian Team.  

Setting her sights on her own Youth Olympic experience after watching the 2016 edition in Lillehammer, Chen dedicated herself to her training with the aim to put herself in the best position to qualify. 

“I put in the work and trained really hard. I also tried to do my best at all of the competitions to qualify, with the main qualifying event being the Junior Worlds back in April 2019,” she said.  

At the end of 2019, Chen received the news that she had been selected for the Australian Team, just as she was boarding a flight to America for the Northern Hemisphere ski season.  

“When I found out, I was standing in the line just about to board my flight. It was quite funny because I was being so loud and just screaming with joy, and the other people in the airport were just staring at me. 

“I quickly posted on Instagram, and when I landed 14 hours later, I received so many lovely messages from my friends and family,” the 17-year-old said.  

While Chen originally started her winter sport career as a skier, she transitioned to snowboarding at the age of 8 and made the decision to specialise in Freestyle Snowboarding in 2018.  

“I was a member of the Perisher Winter Sports Club, which allowed me to do both skiing and snowboarding. However, I was more intrigued with freestyle snowboarding, as there is more room for creativity,” Chen said.  

“While it is a bit more daring, in comparison to racing, the reward after you land a new trick is definitely worth the risk.” 

Chen wrapped up her Lausanne 2020 campaign on Tuesday having competed in all three of the freestyle snowboarding events; Slopestyle, Halfpipe, and Big Air.  

Her first event, slopestyle, took place on Saturday. In this event, Chen competed against some of the best athletes in the world for her age group, including World Cup level athletes.  

“I was nervous competing against the World Cup athletes at first, mainly because my run isn't as technical as theirs,” she said.  

“I quickly realised, we were all battling the same course and I can only do the best that I can do, while they will do the best that they can do. At the end of the day, I have made it this far and I am really proud of that achievement.” 

She returned to Leysin Ski resort two days later to contest the Women’s Halfpipe, finishing in 13th place. Her final event on Tuesday was the Big Air, where she placed 17th. 

“To be able to wear the green and gold to represent our country has been breathtaking. I’m so proud, it’s been amazing and to get to do it alongside great junior athletes is incredible,”  Chen said. 

“Representing Australia at the YOG has been a dream come true. If you had asked me five years ago if I thought I would one day be at the Youth Olympics, I never would have thought I could have made it here, so to be here right now is unbelievable. It’s so surreal, I don’t really have any words for it – I'm so excited and happy."

Cheering from the sidelines were Chen’s parents, who were able to travel to Switzerland to support their daughter throughout the competition. Chen’s younger brothers are also snowboard athletes, cheering on their sister from afar. 

“It means the world to me that my parents and sister are here!” Chen said.  

“While my brothers didn’t get to come due to a training camp in Italy, they sent me a video of them watching the live stream with their own commentary, which was interesting.”  

Both of Chens brothers also compete in snowboarding, and while they are at a similar level to her, they were too young to compete at this year’s YOG. However, Chen is optimistic they will be at the next YOG in four years' time, following in her footsteps.  

As for her own future in the sport, Chen is hoping to qualify for the next Winter Olympic Games in 2022, using her YOG experience as a steppingstone.  

“At first I wasn’t really sure about the Olympics. But being here at the YOG has really inspired me and has confirmed my dreams to one day represent Australia at the Winter Olympics,” Chen said. 

“Meeting everyone, and the whole experience and atmosphere... It’s incredible!” 

Get to know Alexandra...

Favourite songs to listen to while snowboarding

I don't listen to music whilst snowboarding

Favourite Snowboarding

 Hailey Langland or Anna gasser

Favourite place to snowboard

Absolut Park

Favourite jump trick

Front 3

Favourite thing to do when not skiing

Going to school, being with all my friends, and skateboarding